What should you do if  you're stuck between two homes: one you can't sell and one you've contracted to buy?
Sometimes this means putting both properties on the market to see which sells first. Sometimes this means cutting the price of the first  property and taking your losses right away.

How can homeowners sell  their homes quickly?
Price it right and get it "staged." Price  them low, very close to the bottom line. When there's a lot of inventory, price  is essential. Of course, having the home in "show shape"—decluttered and clean for any showings—is putting your best foot forward.

What does staging  involve?
If the home is vacant, we'll bring furniture in. We  hire stagers and offer that service to sellers. The stager I work with charges  less than $100 an hour and typically works for two to four hours. Another rents furniture by the room for $350 a room.

What kinds of repairs  are worth making before selling?
The kitchen and the master bath  are the hot spots for buyers in today's market. The midrange fix-ups are ones  that are the most worthwhile. Don't go crazy and put in granite and high-end appliances. Paint the cabinets, spruce them up with new hardware, replace the  lighting with up-to-date fixtures. Buy new carpeting.

Is it so bad if a house  sits on the market for a long time?
It has been said that the  first six weeks of a listing is the "hottest" time for a sale, and we want to  make sure it shows the best right away.

Where can buyers go to make sure they are seeing everything in their price range?
Over 98 percent of what's available can be viewed on this site, including listings from all brokers.

How should potential buyers approach the market?
This is a great time for buyers to get into the marketplace. Interest rates are low and there is wonderful selection for buyers in all price ranges. But these conditions might not last.

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Rick Schneider Your High Performance Real Estate Professional

Rick Schneider