Tips for Selling Your Home

In today's competive market, it is essential more than ever to make your home stand out among the rest. You can do this in a variety of ways. Here are some tips that I have picked-up over the years that may help you.

Offer financial assistance-many buyers need help on closing costs or down payment assistance. Sometimes the the only thing standing in the way of getting your home sold is the initial cost of the transaction. If you can assist the buyer in that, you will set yourself apart.

Make sure your home shows well- the money you spend per hour to a good designer will pay huge dividends when your home shows better than your competition.

Interview and get references on a good real estate agent- a good way to kill a potential transaction is by hiring a bad agent. You need someone who is a good negotiator, marketer and advisor with good business skills and follow up. Look for local stack rankings to narrow down your list of the successful ones.

Make sure you can be found- most people shop online today for homes initially. They look to see pictures, prices and descriptions of homes in their area of interest. Make sure your home is accessible in the Multiple Listing Service and such popular websites as http://www.realtor.com

WOAI Concept Home

A few weeks ago, we were invited to participate in the WOAI concept home tour scheduled to take place in March of 2009. WOAI is the local NBC news affiliate here in San Antonio and they have created a concept home program that showcases local builders and the latest trends in home design. In years past, they have only showcased one builder, however this year they will showcase five in a new subdivision known as Stone Creek Ranch in Fair Oaks. http://www.stonecreekfairoaks.com There have been numerous conference calls, builder- vendor meetings and groundwork laid out in preparation for this event. My partner Jason has been busy strategizing and coming up with a plan that we are excited to embark upon in the coming weeks. All I can tell you at this point is that this will be an opportunity for you to see what builders can do when challenged to come up with their best product. To me this event will somewhat rival the Parade of Homes that is so popular in San Antonio. We will be putting our best foot forward to show the community what new innovations and technology mean for you in terms of energy efficiency, better layout and better materials. We will stage our home with beautiful ammenities and furnishings to enhance your touring experience as well. Keep your calenders open in the spring of 2009 and stay tuned for this exciting event that you won't want to miss.

Worst Case Scenarios

The media has hammered us with the fact that this is one of the worst housing markets nationally that we have seen in a long time. San Antonio has bucked the trend a little, but there are responses to tough times. I thought it would be interesting for you to know there is a website called http://www.worstcasescenarios.com/ that gives interesting survival tips for all kinds of terrible situations such as what to do if your parachute doesn't open, how to land a plane, how to get free from a sinking car and how to wrestle free from an alligator; just to name a few.

Here are some tips on how to fend off a shark:
1.Hit back- sharks are sensitive to pain in the eyes and gills area
2.Make quick repeated jabs in these areas- don't let the shark feel they have the competitive advantage- contrary to popular opinion, don't hit them in the nose

We are fighting back against our shark attack which is the housing market and it is making us better as an organization- I can see it happening with our improved processes. I hope you enjoy the website posted above.