So you're considering selling your home yourself. That's a tough decision. You want to

 save money, yet you're unsure about what you need to do to get the optimal results.

As a salesperson for your home. you will be faced with a multitude of decisions 

ranging from pricing your home to sell to contract negotiations. How you manage 

these issues can be the difference between success and failure.

Here are some helpful hints - recommended by experienced Certified Residential 

Specialists - to help you sell your home. This information is not all-inclusive and does

not replace the expertise provided by a residential specialist.

Are You Priced to Sell?

Determine your home's market value - the highest price a ready, willing and able 

buyer will pay.
Consider the cost of financing and its availability.
Remember that a "For Sale By Owner" home typically attracts bargain hunters who 

may expect you to lower your price since they too are looking to save on commissions
Advertise - Let Prospects Know You're Ready to Sell

Create a marketing plan to promote your home.
Set a budget and stick to it.
Put up a professional looking sign that prospective buyers can see from the street

(check local ordinances to make sure a For Sale sign is permitted)
Place classified ads in your neighborhood and city newspapers.
Talk to people you know at professional organizations, church groups and work,

spreading the word about your home
Preparing Your Home to Sell

Make sure your home is clean and organized. Keep your lawn cut and closets well

organized.
Keep your home repaired. Fix loose doorknobs, stuck windows, warped cabinet

doors and leaky faucets. Paint old walls and replace worn carpets.
Create a friendly atmosphere with fresh flowers, lots of sunlight, a fire in the fireplace

in winter and open windows in summer.
Tips For Showing Your Home

Always make appointments with prospects before showing your home.
Try to screen the ``buyers" from the ``lookers." Often ``For Sale By Owner" signs

mean ``Curiosity Seekers Welcome."
Pre-qualify your potential buyers to ensure that they can afford to buy your home.
Negotiate - Be Informed and Prepared

Try to resolve buyer doubts, keep interest and speed your sale to conclusion.
Once an offer is made, agree on the price and terms, respond to objections and try

to be open to your buyer's concerns.
Draw Up the Contract

Have an attorney or qualified individual preside over the agreement
Set the closing date and time
Include a list of those items you want written into the contract, including personal

property to remain with the home (refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher, etc.).
REMEMBER, as the seller you are obligated by law to disclose any material defects

regarding your property to the purchaser,
WHEN YOU WANT PROVEN RESULTS - Contact a Certified Residential

Specialist (CRS). A Residential Specialist can make selling your home a lot easier!

As you can see, effectively selling your home is a difficult and demanding job that

requires your full attention 24 hrs, a day - seven days a week.

That's why thousands of homeowners, like yourself, take advantage of the

specialized services provided by a CRS, Certified Residential Specialists can get

you the highest possible price for your property and reduce unnecessary expenses

through professional guidance and advice. A CRS can also help you sell your home

faster and for the best price because he/she:

Can set the price- of your. home realistically by conducting a Comparative Market

Analysis that will support the price with research, facts and statistics,
Are well-versed in alternative financing and can help relieve the buyer's financing

concerns and help expedite the sale of your home.
Belong to the Multiple Listing Service, and are able to locate active buyers through

a special network,
Are able to act as a third-party negotiator between you and the buyer, making sure

the selling price and buying price are a win for both parties,
Can screen prospects so you don't have to expose your family to any stranger who

knocks at your door; they can make sure the prospect is qualified and not just a

"looker."
Your home is your most valuable possession. Can you afford to leave the sale of

such an important asset to chance?

©Copyright 1998 Residential Sales Council All rights reserved.