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Sell an old home to young buyersFocus on these 8 tips when marketing home to a younger demographic.
8 reasons your home isn't sellingHere's what to do if your house is a 'listing loser.'
6 tips for the best home photosGood pictures are crucial in marketing a home for sale
Real estate's hidden marketplace As more sellers choose "pocket listings," more agents question practice.
6 things your listing should includeHere's what to say — and not say — when you're trying to sell your home.
Make a video, sell your homeAn on-camera testimonial could draw more traffic to your listing and home.
5 steps to finding a sellers agentInterview more than one agent — and be sure to ask the right questions.
Get your home ready for the marketHere are a few simple tricks to make home stand out from the crowd.
4 mistakes emotional sellers makeExercising some self-control could help a deal close on your home.

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Off-season sellers: Make your home more enticing
By Tim Parker of Investopedia
There's little doubt that the housing market is finally showing signs of a measurable recovery. The latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, which tracks the selling prices of homes nationally, showed a 3% increase in home prices compared with September 2011. The authors of the report cited stabilizing housing markets and slight increases in household wealth as reasons for the encouraging data. This is positive news for the real-estate market, but it’s of little value for homeowners still struggling to sell their home. Homeowners face stiff competition from the many other similar properties on the market. How do you make your home stand out?
- On our blog, 'Listed': Home prices continue rising
Read: 6 tips for the best home photos
- MSN Money: How street names affect home prices
- Video: Is housing over the hump?
Off-season sellers: Make your home more enticing
Make a video
Before listing your home for sale, switch roles. Make a detailed video that shows the interior and exterior of your home. Include closets, areas behind doors, the fence and all of the other less visible features. Then, view your video and think like a buyer. What do you see that would cause you to lose interest? Show the video to friends and family, and ask them to give you candid comments. The smallest details are sometimes the difference between a buyer making an offer or moving on to the next home.
Read: Make a video, sell your home
- On our blog, 'Listed': House won't sell? Raise the price
Off-season sellers: Make your home more enticing
Renovate
If your home isn't catching the eye of buyers, it might need more some work. A high-priced kitchen remodel to entice buyers probably isn't a great idea, but replacing damaged baseboards, worn carpet and dead shrubbery are essential renovations in today's real-estate market. If the video uncovered some eyesores, fix them. Luckily, these types of renovations don't have to be high-dollar projects.
- Video: Contractors' tips and tricks
- On our blog, 'Listed': A crack in the housing-market recovery?
- Realtor.com: What are homes listed for right now?
Off-season sellers: Make your home more enticing
Have a weekday open house
The weekends are full of open houses. Not only are there more weekend open houses than there are prospective buyers, but an increasing number of people also work on the weekends to produce extra income. A weekday open house reduces the competition, and an evening time may allow parents to view your home when their kids are at a sports practice or another activity. Open houses cost nothing but a little of your time.
- On our blog, 'Listed': Home prices continue rising
Read: 6 tips for the best home photos
- MSN Money: How street names affect home prices
- Video: Is housing over the hump?
Off-season sellers: Make your home more enticing
Find a better agent
The economic downturn that resulted in millions of people losing their jobs produced a class of new real-estate agents looking for additional income. If your agent is new to the real-estate market, he may not have the professional network to get your home in front of lots of buyers.
If you're desperate to sell, find a high-volume agent in your area. To ensure the agent gives your home priority over his other listings, offer a bonus or higher commission for a quick sale. Make sure he adds it to the Multiple Listing Service so other agents know that your house comes with a higher payout.
Read: 5 steps to finding a sellers agent
- On our blog, 'Listed': Home prices continue rising
- Video: Is housing over the hump?
Off-season sellers: Make your home more enticing
Don't take a back-seat role
Even if your real-estate agent is advertising your home and working hard, two people marketing your home are better than one. Put your home on your Facebook page, Craigslist, Twitter and other social-media sites. Post fliers on company-approved bulletin boards and talk to family and friends. Most people would rather buy from somebody they know and respect. You'll still have to pay your agent a commission, but if you're desperate to sell, take an active role in the marketing process.
- Video: Contractors' tips and tricks
- On our blog, 'Listed': A crack in the housing-market recovery?
- Realtor.com: What are homes listed for right now?
Off-season sellers: Make your home more enticing
Lower your price
If your home isn't producing offers or interest, it's probably time to lower your asking price. Agents will help you to set your initial price based on comparable homes in your market, but in the end, that analysis is just an educated guess. Always keep the price higher than the lowest price you're willing to accept. This allows for room to haggle.
- On our blog, 'Listed': House won't sell? Raise the price
- Video: How to price to sell


