Information for those selling in the Northern Idaho Real Estate area:

Do you think you are ready to list your Sandpoint real estate in this market? Well... maybe. But make sure you have these ideas in mind before listing your home.

It is a scary market right now and no matter the reason for selling your home there are some things you can be doing to prepare your home and set it apart from the many others out there.

First of all, What are they getting for the money? I can give you comparables in and around your neighborhood that may be what your home could be worth now, or even with some work. Meaning, if you listed your home as is, what you might get for it verses if you prepared a little in advance and the difference that could makue.

Unfortunately buyers are looking for a deal and they think they can low ball any seller out there and get what they want. But if you price it right from the beginning, you may not have to sit on the market waiting for those low offers.

Make sure there are no unresolved projects in the house. Buyers don't want to go through your house and think about all the things THEY would have to do once they moved in. Do those jobs for them. Are there any bright colored rooms? Time to paint them neutral. Unfinished basements or repairs that need to be made? Finish them now. All these undone issues will leave a bad taste in buyer's mouths when the house down the street is doing everything it can to make a sale. Have a trusted friend or better yet, an experienced Northern Idaho real estate agent (me) come through your home with an unbiased view of the issues. Sometimes when you live with something for so long, you may not even see it anymore.

Once you have these done, make sure your home is decorated neutral. Take down all taste specific trinkets and photos. Pictures of the family or eclectic art. Keep things spacious and simple. Make sure you have live plants or that you have well cleaned the fake ones. Deep clean everything in the house or hire someone to detail your home. This maybe well worth it.

Make sure the curb appeal is "appealing"! Don't let the buyers drive right on by because they don't like the outward look. Keep fresh colorful flowers in bloom and if you can't repaint the entire house, look into painting the front door and/or trim.

For more advice and information on preparing your home, check out my article on getting ready to list your Sandpoint Idaho real estate.