7 Ways to Improve Your Home's Appeal to Buyers

In this economy, houses aren't selling like they used to. However, there are some ways to improve the chances of selling your house. If you have a house on the market, or are considering it, read on for seven tips that will make it easier to sell your home and make a smooth transition from one owner to the next.

1. Maintain Neutrality

This policy has worked for Switzerland, and it can also work in real estate. Customizing your home is great if you plan to stay there, but extreme colors and themed rooms can scare off potential homebuyers If you have customized every room with extremely bright or dark colored paint, wallpaper or wall fixtures, you may want to consider toning it down a bit. Using neutral colors on the walls can help prospective buyers create their own vision for the house, and will also leave them with less work to undo if they buy the house.

2. Less Is More
Even though you have not moved out yet, removing some of your furniture can help the house move off the market. If you take pictures for your listing, having less furniture can help the home appear more spacious. When potential homebuyers arrive, having less furniture can also provide clear walkways.

3. That New House Smell
Honestly, the new house smell isn't always the most pleasant, but at least it is new. In preparing to show your home, you should avoid strong smells. To avoid odors, make sure to take out the trash and clean the refrigerator regularly. It is also good to be mindful of what you cook in the days leading up to a showing since certain foods have strong scents. If you have pets, keep an eye on the litter box. Any smell that is too strong could send potential homebuyers running out the door.

4. Pay Attention to the Details
It is not a good idea to make major renovations when you are ready to sell your home because you may not recoup your investment. If you never got around to starting or completing that total kitchen or bathroom makeover, then you can make some small, inexpensive changes to spruce things up. Replacing the hardware on cabinets is a quick way to improve the appearance of older looking fixtures. Upgrading small items such as light switch and outlet covers can also add a nice touch.

5. Maximize Your "Curb Appeal"
The front of your home is the first thing prospective home-buyers will see, so keeping it presentable is a must. If there is a yard, keep the grass to a reasonable height and if there are trees, be sure to keep the branches under control. The path to your front door should be a clear and welcoming one, not an obstacle course!

6. Don't Get Too Personal
Upon entering your house, everyone will know it is lived in, but they do not need to see all the evidence. Get rid of excess clutter such as newspapers, magazines, and mail. Be sure to put away your laundry and shoes. It may also be a good idea to put away some other personal belongings like pictures on the refrigerator or mantle. For you, the pictures may make a house a home or display your personal touch. For the new homeowner, it may appear too personal.

7. Take Care of Repairs
Waiting to make repairs until after you find a buyer can be tricky. Depending on the nature of the repairs, you may not be able to find a buyer. Depending on how fast the buyer wants to close on the house, you may not have enough time to make the repairs. Save yourself some time and potential trouble, by making repairs before you list your home. The repairs will have to be made anyway, so it is better to get them out of the way sooner rather than later.

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Predictions for Austin Texas Real Estate Home Values

· The rest of 2009 and the first half of 2010 will see continued lower than average sales volume and stagnant but generally stabilized prices. Foreclosures will continue to put downward pressure on prices of property in lower income areas. Owners in these areas may want to "get out now". But most owners should hang tight, especially if they're receiving cash flow neutral or cash flow positive results. Those with toxic loans should absolutely renegotiate with their lenders.
· Though demand will return in the second half of 2010 as lenders become more realistic with their lending standards and investors realize the worst of the panic is over, there will be a lot of new "pent up" inventory from sellers who were waiting out the market downturn. I am aware of hundreds if not thousands of sellers that will put their property on the market once they feel values are on the rise again. This phenomenon will probably keep values going up only modestly for another year or more.
· Based on current growth trends (Austin's continued low unemployment and net migration) and availability of housing, we will see a return to strong growth in 2012, and will hopefully enjoy another two or three year "boom", though not as remarkable as that we saw from 2005 through 2007. Fed monetary policy has probably put an end to the remarkable real estate bubbles for this generation.

For more information, please visit my website at http://www.RomeoM.com