Call it the Great Housing Paralysis of 2009. If you're hoping to buy your first home or invest in a second one, you're probably sidelined, unsure when to jump in. If you want to sell, you're thinking it may be better to wait.

As you've heard countless times, you should think of your home primarily as a place to live, not as an investment. And it's nearly impossible to time the bottom perfectly.

If you're trying to sell your home right now, stop kidding yourself with the thinking that your house is still worth what it was a year ago.

Ignore list prices and base your asking price on what similar homes in your area have actually sold for in the past three months. Even six months ago the market was totally different.

No nibbles after 30 days? Drop the price. An even better strategy, right out of the gate, price your home at 10% below what comparable ones have gone for. That may attract more than one bidder, pushing up the final price.

If you absolutely must move out soon and your home isn't selling, consider offering a rent-to-own option.

Throw in a bigger commission to real estate agents so they'll show it more often. Also advertise that you have a flexible closing date - even if it means you must rent until your next home is ready. That way buyers who must move in 30 days will know yours is an option.

The alternative to these tips? Stay put!

 

 

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Best Buyer’s Broker Realty is an Exclusive Buyer Agent specializing in Long Island real estate (Nassau and Suffolk properties) and neighboring Queens County properties.

We don’t take any seller listings (yet we have more homes for you to see than most agents) and never have any potential conflict of interest like other agents who also represent sellers. We represent buyers only, 100% of the time. We can show you more homes for sale because we have access to MLS, FSBOs, Exclusives (homes that agents try to keep secret), foreclosures and homes not on the market that may be of interest to you.

We are not your traditional real estate agent. Our goal is to advise and protect home buyers and help them obtain the lowest price and best terms on their dream home. Call us at 516-887-6901 to see how we can help you save time and money. Or visit our sites at http://bestbuyersbroker.com or http://bestbuyerbroker.com.

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