Selling your home could very possibly be the most nerve-racking process you and your family will ever experience. Questions fill your mind as to what is the correct asking price? Is now the correct time to sell? Which web tools are really worth your time? Relax. Even though selling your  home can be distressing it can also be a very interesting learning experience that can make you wiser in your next home purchase.  By having a knowledgeable Realtor by your side through the whole process makes it even more straightforward. Here are some great ideas and informative links to make you feel more confident in the home selling process and never forget knowledge is power.

1- Research- Before you call a Real Estate Agent you need to do some research on your property. More then likely the price your home is worth has changed dramatically since you bought it. Either for the better or for the worse but you need to have a reality check and know what is going on in the market place today. Buyers expect not only better deals but also more concessions then before.  Here are some links for savvy home sellers to look at before they contact a Realtor.

• Realtor.com-Nations biggest real estate web site.  Best site to check out properties for sale in your town. You can see what other homes are priced at  and how they compare to your property and the price you where thinking of listing for.
• Zillow.com-A more recent  real estate database. It gathers property information from the local county tax collector and other undisclosed sources. They come up with a “Zestimate” on your property. Never forget that the “Zestimate” is not as accurate as a CMA (Comparable Market analysis) . The “Zestimate”  does not include many important factors that can change the market price for your home. Zillow should not be the end all to pricing your home, only a Realtor or an appraiser can provide you with this up to date information.
• RealEstate.com- Another useful multi purpose website that has the tools you need to search for  homes for sale, your home value and excellent real estate related articles.

2- Preparing your home to show-You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Buyers will scrutinize your home from the moment they ride up the driveway. You need to stop thinking of your property as a home, its a house,an asset you want to sell for the highest amount  possible. There are a lot of simple, fairly inexpensive things you can do to make a great first impression.

Tips to Improve your Curb Appeal:

• Pressure Clean Driveway And kill All mold around home- Daily rentals from Home Depot
• Trim Tree Limbs that are near  homes roof- Call for tree pruning
• Less is More. Remove large unsightly plants that obstruct homes view
• Lights in the front yard are a Bright idea. Be ready for that Evening buyer drive-by
• Paint Can do Miracles. Choose a neutral color-Local painters
• Replace or Paint your Front Door or replace hardware if needed
• Lay down fresh Mulch
• Plant a Few Annuals near mailbox and home
• Installing new Front Walkway can Drastically perk up your Front landscape appeal-Use curves

Tips to Improve Home Interior:

• Clean like the Sale of your home Depended On It, It Does
• Let there be Light. Turn on All lights
• Clear out Clutter- Make the Room say “you Don’t live here”
• Rent Furniture for staging purposes if needed
• Consider making Upgrades
• Replace restroom Fixtures if needed-never use brass
• New Ceiling Fans,if needed. Economical & Uncomplicated
• Add a Breakfast Bar
• Add or Replace Tile
• Install Granite Tile Instead of a Slab
• Spruce up Cabinet Fronts

3-Know the Lingo-Real Estate Terms 101

• Abstract of Title- Documents recording the ownership of property throughout time
• Acceptance- The written approval of the buyer’s offer by the seller
• Amenity- A feature of the home or property that serves as a benefit to the buyer but that is not necessary to its use; may be natural (like location, woods, water) or man-made (like a swimming pool or garden)
• Appreciation- An increase in property value
• As-is Condition- The purchase or sale of a property in its existing condition without repairs
• Asking Price- A seller’s stated price for a property
• Certificate of Title- A document provided by a qualified source, such as a title company, that shows the property legally belongs to the current owner; before the title is transferred at closing, it should be clear and free of all liens or other claims.