| The first thing any prospective buyer will want to | | | | 4) Get an Automated Valuation Model (AVM) - |
| know is the asking price of your home. This is | | | | This is similar type of valuation to a Comparative |
| where you need to be careful, go to high and you | | | | Market Analysis offered by a real estate agent. |
| scare off any buyers, go too low and you are | | | | An AVM will take into consideration recently sold |
| just letting money slip through your hands. | | | | properties in your local area and give you a |
| So for those of you asking - "Help Me Sell My | | | | suggested range within which to price your home. |
| House" - here is a guide to pricing your home to | | | | 5) Don't pay attention to old valuations - Even if |
| sell:- | | | | you had your property valued a year ago, the |
| 1) Research the competition - Either drive around | | | | recent economic climate has had a huge affect on |
| your local area or check your newspaper listings | | | | house pricing. On average most home prices have |
| or visit real estate websites. Find properties that | | | | dropped up to 20% between May 2007 and May |
| are approximately the same size as yours, i.e. | | | | 2009. |
| same number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. If | | | | 6) You don't have to use an agent or a realtor - |
| you find other similar properties in your area, this | | | | Many people opt for the "For Sale By Owner" |
| can help you price your home just as | | | | (FSBO) route nowadays. There is enough |
| competitively. | | | | information readily available to help you sell your |
| 2) Find and visit Open Houses in your area - Just | | | | house yourself. Did you know that a real estate |
| visit every open house you can. Find out as much | | | | agent's fees are usually between 5% - 7% of the |
| information as possible. Any renovations or | | | | sale price. Let's say your property is worth |
| upgrades to things like bathrooms or kitchens? | | | | $350,000 and your agent charges a 7% |
| Compare the price and actual property to your | | | | commission. Your agent will pocket a cool |
| own home. | | | | $24,500, while you get $325,500! If you wish to |
| 3) Visit your local town hall or county clerk's office | | | | go the FSBO route, you could actually knock a |
| - ask for information on recently sold properties. | | | | sizable sum off the asking price and still make |
| This is public information and can really help you | | | | more profit than if you used an agent! |
| when pricing your home to sell. This is a great | | | | So it's not a case of "Help Me Sell My House", but |
| opportunity to educate yourself on homes that | | | | Help Yourself sell your home! |
| have been sold recently in the local market. | | | | |