our friend al ryer in buffalo ny sells houses, see his tips below or
at:
http://alryer.com/tips.php

"In order for you to make a good decision all your real estate
questions must be answered.
Learn the "full circle" process of real estate to better understand
your needs & obligations.
Don't overprice your home! This attracts the wrong prospects,
eliminates offers & helps sell the competition.
Properties that are priced right sell faster & at a higher price.
The 5 factors that control price are; Location, time, terms, condition
of property & the agent you select.
20% of the buyers for your home come from the "for sale" sign.
60% of the buyers for a home come from referrals from the firms sale
staff or firm name recognition.
Only 1% of the buyers actually bought from an open house that they saw!

"First impressions" help sell your home. Prepare your home by
making it as appealing as possible.
Keep your home neutral. Neutral colors & simple décor help someone
visualize their own belongings in a room.
Showtime! When preparing to show your home put away any toys, clothes,
food or other "left out" items.
Kitchen remodeling brings 60-100% return on your investment, unless you
really go overboard.
Realistic pricing of your home results in added exposure & a higher
sale price.
Make sure your home compares favorably with the "competition".
The "asking price" for your home must deliver the highest financial
return in a reasonable period of time with the least inconvenience.
When selling keep your home uncluttered. It will be neater & look
larger. You want to convey a spacious feeling.
Keep your home clean. This creates the impression that your home has
been well cared for.
Keep your home dynamic! Make your home memorable! From fresh flowers to
fresh clean smells, your house should be inviting.
Basement - It is very important to clean & deodorize areas where pets
sleep or spend time. Straighten tool, shop & laundry areas. Sweep
floors; cleanup grease spots.
Central air conditioning & fireplaces do bring additional value to your
home.
Choose a real estate agent that's willing to work long, hard & smart
for you. This should be based on the agents integrity, skill &
marketing plan - NOT because he or she told you a PRICE you wanted to
hear.
Selecting a good real estate attorney to complete your transaction is
extremely important.
As a buyer, find the best possible financing to suit your needs. This
will depend on your available cash, credit & other items. There are
many different mortgages & programs available. A good real estate agent
should be able to direct you the proper way.
Making one extra principle & interest payment a year towards your
existing mortgage can save you thousands of dollars.
Be careful of home equity loans, especially if you plan on selling your
home in the near future.
As a buyer, it is highly recommended for you to have a professional
home inspection done. This is typically done a few days after executed
contracts.
A professional home inspection will help prioritize the homes needs &
familiarize you with the home.
If you have any questions left prior to buying or selling a home, then
you are not ready to move forward. Get the answers first!
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments in your lifetime. Be
prepared to make the right decisions. Have all the information you need
in hand before doing so!
The national average time to own a home is only 5 years.
97% of overpriced homes end up selling below market value. Pricing your
home is extremely important.
Testing for radon, water contaminates & lead levels are now more
common. Addressing these will assure you a safer environment.
Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom will give you a greater return on
your investment.
Negotiating a sales price can be challenging. For example, if the
seller is anxious to move, they may be more flexible. But if the seller
is firm, offering a much lower price may deter them from negotiating at
all.
When selling your home, it's important to set a competitive price
without it being too high which could turn off potential buyers.
Many buyers go on first impressions so the outside home maintenance is
crucial. Keep the lawn cut & the bushes pruned. Perform needed repairs
to enhance the outside appearance. "