| It is easy to buy into the negativity surrounding the | | | | your street and suburb. Do a comparison on features |
| global financial crisis, but forget about the bad press | | | | like location, aspect, block and house size, and |
| and follow these simple rules to ensure your house | | | | property condition. Take note of the asking price and |
| sells for the price you want, when you want. | | | | eventual selling price. Going along to open homes is |
| 1) Get straight onto having a big spring clean inside | | | | also a good way to meet the real estate agents |
| and out, by tending to repairs, cleaning, de-cluttering | | | | actively selling in your area. |
| and depersonalizing the space. It may be that a | | | | 4) Give thought to the type of buyer/s who would |
| garage sale is in order. Leave yourself plenty of time | | | | buy your property. Use the number of bedrooms, |
| to do this. Clearing out the things you don't need for | | | | yard size, and location to services as a guide. Ask |
| daily living and those that are very personal to you, | | | | yourself what it was that attracted you to the |
| will help your buyers to see the property's features | | | | property and the area when you bought. |
| more clearly - and picture themselves living there. | | | | 5) Choose an agent who knows and has a track |
| 2) Keep in mind things like what you paid, how much | | | | record of sales in your area. There is little point to |
| you owe on your mortgage, the amount you need | | | | hiring an out of area agent who will have much less |
| to finance your next home and memories of your | | | | of an idea of your market, compared to a locally |
| time there, do not determine your home's selling | | | | based agent. You also need an agent who's prepared, |
| price. Also, renovations are not the big ticket to a | | | | has excellent communication skills, enthusiasm, and |
| higher selling price that many homeowners imagine | | | | good problem solving skills. Look too for confidence, |
| them to be. | | | | but without bragging. Be very clear that you won't |
| 3) Go to as many 'open for inspections' as you can in | | | | hire based on price. |