Before putting your home on the market, you should consider the season and the best time of the year to sell. Generally, the market for selling is strongest in the spring and fall with summer and winter slowing due to vacations, weather and Christmas. You should also give careful consideration to the current market conditions.

First you will need to know whether it is a "buyer's market" or a "seller's market". A buyer's market is one in which the number of homes on the market is greater than the number of potential buyers. Prospective buyers will take their time when choosing a home to make an offer on, and will usually make it subject to several conditions.

Alternately, a seller's market is one in which most sellers would like to find themselves in - a market in which the demand for homes exceeds the supply. In a true seller's market you can typically ask top dollar for your home and still attract a few prospects. The hotter the market, the more critical the buyer's timing becomes as homes can be sold virtually overnight so timid buyers tend to lose out over more aggressive buyers.

Once you have identified the current market conditions, look at how your home fits into the "bigger picture". Try to see it through the eyes of a buyer. Make note of the "pros" - you might be located in a community or neighborhood where recreational facilities, transportation, schools, support services and shopping centers are well established. Look at the "cons" - you might be located on a busy street, which may be seen as unfavorable for families with young children. Compare your home to others for sale in your neighbourhood.

Internet

Studies show that over 70% of homebuyers use the Internet in their home search. You can't afford to miss the worldwide Internet exposure I can offer with the MLS and www.highriverproperty.com.

Your Realtor will be working for you. He or she must know the area and the market well in order to accurately represent your needs and desires. Experience and a strong network of satisfied clients are essential when choosing your Realtor. Skillful negotiation is a must. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable expressing your questions or concerns and confident that your needs are being attended to.

A buyer determines the value of a property the same way a seller does. They go out and look at comparable properties in the same area, same condition and same price range. Many times a seller gets confused because he or she doesn't have the correct information on recent sales in the neighbourhood. Comparable pricing should be done in the form of a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) and should use homes similar in size, age and condition. Allowing for the differences that exist and analyzing this data will assist you to determine a good asking price for your property.

Generally, sellers price their property approximately 10% above what they expect to be offered. This, however, is dependent on market conditions. When activity is brisk, you can ask a slightly higher price; when the market is slow, you should price under your competition.

A property's condition not only affects whether you'll get an offer or not, but also the size of the offer. Typically, the buyer will deduct the cost of any repairs from the offer. Below are some suggestions for preparing your home for sale:

1. FIRST IMPRESSION - Be sure the front door looks good. Wash it inside and out and repaint if necessary. Clean the porch and foyer. Make sure your front yard is presentable.
2. CLEAN - Go through your house room by room and clean, clean, clean.
3. DRIPS & BULBS - Repair leaky taps and running toilets. Dripping water suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out light bulbs leave buyers in the dark. Don't let little problems detract from all that is right with your home.
4. OIL - If cabinet or closet doors need oiling, oil them! Don't explain that all the squeaks just need a bit of oil - take a moment and fix them.
5. STORAGE SPACE - Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They're looking for storage space, too. Make sure your porch, basement, attic, garage and other storage space is clean and free of clutter.
6. CLOSETS - The better organized your closets, the larger they appear. Take the time to box up all those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity or store them away until after the move.
7. BATHROOMS - Take the time to polish the grout and clean in all the corners, repair the seals around the tubs and sinks. Be sure mirrors and faucets are free of watermarks and fingerprints and clean toilets inside and out.
8. BEDROOMS - Create dream Bedrooms by getting rid of excess furniture. Dress up the bed and windows with matching bedspreads and curtains.
9. SUNSHINE - Pull back your curtains and drapes, open blinds enough to let the sunshine in. Everyone likes a bright, cheery home.
10. PETS - Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you are showing your home. Pets have a natural talent for getting underfoot. Do everyone a favor and keep your pets safely out of the way.

1. Pricing is a very important factor. Be realistic and try to remain unemotional. Use comparable properties and resist the temptation to overprice.
2. Critique your home before you list it for sale. Be sure it has a clean and fresh appearance.
3. Have all the required legal documentation and inspections in place. Many buyers insist on a complete home inspection. It is much easier for you to deal with any problems ahead of time as unanticipated repairs and corrective work may cause an offer to fail.
4. Be prepared to negotiate. Know your bottom line. Be sure you have all the facts and aim for a win/win situation with the prospective buyer.
5. Communicate clearly with your Realtor. Remember that I am here for you ad that I am trained to deal with your questions and concerns.