You've heard all the wonderful "new" ways to get a house sold in this difficult market. Confused? Annoyed? You might be tempted to hop on one of many bandwagons. You can auction your house. Give away a Pontiac as part of the price. Or sell raffle tickets for $1000 apiece.

 

If one of these,...uh..."creative" options sounds plausible, I have one word of advice. Fogeddaboudit. OK, that's really more than one word, but you get what I mean. "Never" is too strong a word..."almost" never is how often these have a good outcome for the seller.

 

Space doesn't permit my telling you how the above options are variously illegal, expensive, or time consuming. Here's what DOES work.

 

This ain't rocket science. There are currently 6000 houses on the market through MLS. About 8000 will sell by year's end. (Surprised?) Prices haven't gone up for three years, so unless you're buying a house in addition to selling, you might want to consider waiting for prices to head back up.  They will.

 

If you feel you have no choice, you should know thirty-five houses are selling every day. Appropriate pricing is the best change you can make. Check out your competition. Adjust your price lower than comparable properties.

 

Then, make your home the best house available in every other way you can. Consider the top two other changes you can make to get sold.

 

Smell always has been next to price in importance. Have a friend or two who haven't been in your house walk in and use their sniffers. Your house should smell delightful. Cookiers, cinnamon, eucalyptus, I don't care. Delightful.

 

Up the list in importance is lighting. More days are overcast days, and a four o'clock showing may end up in the dark. Open ALL blinds for showings. Keep all windows clean, all light fixtures sparkling. Install maximum watt bulbs in all fixtures. If you have dark corners, use "up" lights. Where you're showing a function  in a room, such as a desk or sewing area, use lighting to highlight your use. Under counter lighting can be installed inexpensively. Turn on landscaping lighting if you have it, consider putting in low voltage lights if you don't.

 

Pretend like it's your first day on the market. Take a nice fresh look at changes you need to make...and make them. You'll have a far better chance for success.

 

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