Thinking of Selling Your Home? These Tips May Help

U.S. home sales have been picking up in recent months, which is a good sign for the economy--and for home sellers, too. Soon, however, it will be winter, which is traditionally a slow time in the real-estate market. In fact, many sellers elect to take their homes off the market and then re-list as spring approaches.

Hoping to sell your home despite the winter slowdown? Here are some strategies to consider:

• Go to open houses and compare prices for similar properties in your neighborhood. Check out home values at home listing sites, such as www.zillow.com. Ask your real-estate agent to provide you with the recent selling price for comparable homes. All this could help you price your home competitively and thereby avoid a series of painful price cuts.


• Consider the carrying costs. For instance, if your old home is sitting empty, you might consider lowering your asking price and going for a quicker sale. After all, with nobody living in your house, you aren't getting any value out of the property--and the place is likely costing you, thanks to homeowner's insurance, property taxes, maintenance, utilities and mortgage payments.


• Don't spend too much fixing up your home to attract buyers. You aren't likely to recoup all the money lavished on more extensive remodeling. On the other hand, a new flower bed and a fresh coat of paint may offer cheaper ways to increase your home's curb appeal. Also, if there's a lot of clutter in your basement, attic or closets, get rid of as much of it as you can: Have a yard sale, donate items to charities or put things in storage.


• Get your own professional home inspection. It may cost a few hundred dollars, but it can help avoid nasty surprises and you can get necessary repairs done ahead of time. It may also help you set a realistic price and avoid having a potential sale fall through.

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