Whether you intend to sell your home or simply refinance it, having its value assessed should be done very early in the process. An assessor's valuation of your home will dictate how it is treated by potential buyers, real estate agents and loan officers. If you make your own guess about the value of your home before a professional appraises it, you are counting your chickens long before they hatch.
Before setting a selling price, don't just rely on the real estate agent to tell you what you can set the price at. Look around at recent sales of properties similar to yours to see what the actual sales price was. This will give you an idea of what the market is like and what people are actually paying for properties like yours.
Clear off your counters. Remove everything from your kitchen and bathroom countertops. A prospective buyer needs to have a good idea of the available counter space, and this is impossible when it's full of clutter. Also, make sure that the counters are sparkling. If you have tile countertops, clean the grouting, or replace it completely if it's stained or discolored.
Your house should be a blank canvas. Just because you love brightly colored walls, a prospective buyer may not. If possible, prior to putting your house up for sale, paint the walls white or another neutral color. A buyer needs to be able to envision the house as their own, which is much easier to do when not faced with your favorite colors. Another plus to painting your walls white is it reflects the light, making the rooms look larger.
If you are comfortable with allowing potential buyers into your home while you are away, consider allowing your real estate agent to install a lock-box. A copy of your house key will be placed into a locked receptacle attached to the front door; the agent is the only person who can unlock the receptacle and gain entry into your house. By allowing home shoppers to view the inside of the home, you are increasing exposure and are more likely to find a buyer.
In a down market, take the time and try to negotiate your broker's commission. During buyer's markets you may have to price your home lower than what you normally could have received for it. Work with your broker and see if they are willing to negotiate the amount of their commission. Do this while you are still deciding on a broker so that you can move on if one is unwilling to budge.
If you are buying and selling real estate as an investment or a business, remember that there will always be another investment property. Do not allow yourself to become emotionally attached to any of your properties, as this will interefere with your ability to make hard business decisions or deal with having a purchase fall through.
When selling your house, it is absolutely necessary to hire an appraiser. The appraiser can tell you the value of your house according to today's market standards. Make sure the appraiser has the proper credentials, experience and state license and certification. Also, avoid a real estate agent recommended appraiser.
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