Selling Your House in a Slow Market

In today's slow real estate market, sellers need to take extra steps to get the most money for their homes. The average number of days a home is on the market is 40% higher today than last year. Ouch. Not to fear. Listed below are some insider tips and tricks to sell your home today at the highest possible price.

• If your home has already been sitting on the market for over 100 days, try removing it from MLS (Multiple Listing Service) for a week or two and then re-list it. It will "appear" new to buyers and other real estate agents since the "Days on Market" number will be restarted.
• Another trick if your home is already up for sale is to lower the price, even just by $10. Everytime your agent updates your listing, a blast email is sent to all agents who have buyers with criteria that fit your home's description.
• With more and more potential buyers performing due diligence on the internet, make sure your home's electronic flyers and listings are PERFECT. This means lots and lots of great photos. The photos should be of clean, well lit rooms. Photos are the first impression many buyers have this day, so make sure the buyers have a great first impression.
• Have a virtual tour of your home done. It is cheap and easy and gives buyers a better feel for your home than just pictures.
• Make sure your home is easy to show. Despite the slowdown, real estate agent and buyers are busy. Avoid restrictions like 24 hour notice, listing agent must accompany or appointment only.
• Offer buyer incentives. This may include prepaid homeowner's association dues for a year, a home warranty or even assistance with closing costs. Anything to set apart your home from the rest.
• Expand your marketing beyond MLS. Try craiglist, your local Sunday paper's classified section, specialty home magazines and any other print material (especially neighborhood newsletters).

Even if you are not actively selling your house right now, the home valuation website phenomenon know as Zillow has a great new feature called, "Make Me Move." Basically, you put in the price you would sell your home for. Of course it is non-binding, but allows interested parties to make you an offer.