Selling your home, especially if you have never sold a home before can be an exhausting and stressful process and one that can be very confusing if you don't have the right resources. First time homesellers to make lots of mistakes and have alot of questions.  When it's time to sell your largest investment, you need sound guidance & advice. Contact me with any questions you may have and follow these tips to help you achieve your first successful sale.

• Accept what your property is valued at.  It is a hard pill to swallow to know you paid a certain amount for your home only to find out that the appraised price on it now is way below that. It is important to realize that what you paid for your property has little to no effect over its present value. Your home's present value is formulated by different factors such as the value of  comparable homes that have sold within the last 6 months in your local area as well as local area inventory, location and condition of your property. This can be a difficult to understand as you have little control over this.
• Hire An Experienced Agent. Selling your home on your own, especially for the first time can be a very difficult process.  By using an experienced real estate agent that you feel comfortable with, your questions will be answered, and a good agent will help you set a fair and competitive selling price for your home that will increase your odds of a quick sale. Another benefit in working with an agent is that they will work with potential buyers so you don't have to. Agents will also have more experience negotiating home sales,
• Don't try to hide significant problems.  Keep in mind that any problems with your home, both large and small will be found by the home inspector during the buyer's inspection, so there's no use hiding it. You need to correct the problem ahead of time or price the property below market value to account for the problem. You can alternatively list the property at a normal price but offer the buyer a credit to fix the problem. It is important to know that many potential homebuyers might be turned away by a home with issues that need to be corrected. Many buyers are looking for a move in condition home. 
• Keep an open mind when it comes to your asking price. It is important to remember that most all buyers will negotiate to get the best price. And if you want to sell your home you will have to work with them, especially in a soft market where competition is stiff. It is important to list your home at a price that will attract buyers but you will need to leave some breathing room for negotiations. A successful sale is one where the buyer feels like they are getting a good deal and the seller feels that they received an amount that they needed as well. 

A good piece of advice is to prepare your self both mentally and financially for less-than-ideal scenarios. It is a good possibility that your home may not sell quickly and may sit on the market for far longer than you expect. Do your research and work with an experienced agent who can help you avoid costly mistakes amd help you to achieve a quick sale!

Most people don't think that they have toxins inside their home, but the truth is there are many posions that you are exposed to on a daily basis are right inside your own home. If you or someone in your home has allergies or asthma, these toxins can make it even more difficult to breathe. Below are a a list of simple changes that you can make to make your home free of toxins.

Cleaners: Most cleaners you purchase at the store contain toxis and irritants that can cause breathing difficulties, such as bleach and ammonia. You may use cleaners on a daily basis contain many powerful cleaning agents that contain toxins that can cause problems. The good news is that there are many alternatives on the market today that do just as a good of job cleaning but are much more safer to both the environment but to those that live in your home!

Paint: Paint has traditionally been  high odor substance that contains potential toxins. There are many 'green' paint options available today that are not only low odor but that have no cancer causing toxins (also called VOCs). Look for paints that have been certified by Green Seal.  Benhamin Moore also has a Natua line of paints that are just as rich and durable, just water based and much safer.

Air Fresheners: Everyone loves their home to smell fresh, but items like air fresheners, candles and fragrances contain synthetic components that can cause irritation to the lungs. In addition to irritants some can contain a chemical called 'phthalates', which has been shown to cause birth defects, hormone disruption and reproduction problems. Look for alternative candles or scents that have essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances.

Furniture: Many people don't think of furniture as being toxic but if your furniture is old and worn it main contain flame retardants called PBDE's that can cause serious health problems. These chemicals can effect brain, nervous or reproduction problems. Be informed that stain repellents on furniture can also contains toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde. Do your research before putting any repellent on your furniture.

Some additonal tips that can help you to clean up the air in your home:

• Open windows whenever possible - even if it is just for a few hours. This allows toxins to escape and fresh air to circulate.
• Add houseplants - they help filter the air and add a sense of life to any home.
• Switch to natural household cleaners. They tend to be better for those with asthma and are much safer for you and the environment.
• Use a bagless vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter

Selling your home can be challenging enough in this market but may be more difficult if you have some rooms that may be on the small side. But you don't need to knock out any walls or do a total remodel to correct the problem. Below are some simple steps you can take to help open up these rooms and make them appear more spaciious and inviting to prospective buyers.

• Painting the room with light colors such as pastels, neutrals and white are a better alternative to “bright” or dark colors.
• Avoid all clutter. Even on the walls it is best to use one larger painting rather than several small decorative paintings or pictures. 
• Any room will look larger if it's well-lit, either by natural light or artificial lighting. Get rid of heavy draperies and open up the windows to let the light of the outdoors into the space. 
• Mirrors are a must as they add dimension to the room by reflecting images, light and colors. Mirrors provide a “see through” feel to the room.
• Be mindful of the furniture you select for the room. Large and bulky pieces of furniture should be removed. Using just a few smaller pieces in the middle of the room will improve the appearnce of space.
• If possible choose glass tables, they open up the room and help to establish a larger room feel.
• Use vertical space for storage. Add a hutch or floor-to-ceiling bookcases as a storage solution to reduce the amount of floor space taken. 
  

Whether you have been in your home for just a few years or for several years, most homeowners are anxious to know just how much is their home worth. If you are planning to sell your home right away you might need to know the value or if you are considering refinancing your home it is important to know what the value of your home is. For some homeowners, they are just  just curious about whether their home's value has taken a serious beating due to the recent economic downturns. There are several ways to find out what your current home value is:

Free Online Estimates

There are many sites online that offer free appraisals such as Eppraisal.com. They provide estimates of home values based on analysis of publicly available information, such as tax records and homes recently sold in the area in states where it is legal to do so.  I also offer a free analysis of your home's estimated value, click here for more information.

Fee-Based Online Appraisals

If you don't mind investing money into your appraisal there are some online services available like ElectronicAppraiser.com. For a small fee you can download property valuation reports based on publicly available information. Most reports start at at $29.95 and up. These reports will typically provide information about property attributes such as number of bedrooms and baths, recent sales prices, nearby schools and local census information.

Home Appraisals

A home appraisal by a licensed professional appraisal is necessary if you are applying for a loan. This is the most accurate evaluation of your home's worth. Keep in mind when researching an appraiser be sure to select one that has a State certification in addition to a license and has at least three years' experience. Fees range in cost but research out their qualifications, don't go with the lowest price

If you have recently purchased a new home or relocated as a result of a new job or job transfer you might be eligible to deduct some of your moving expenses on your income taxes.  Keep in mind in order for your relocation costs to be tax deductible, your move must be related to your job or employment.  There are requirements you must meet to be able to process the deductible moving expenses, some of these include:

• The distance between the old home and the new job must be at least 50 miles
• If must move within a year of taking the job at the new location
• If you work full-time for at least 39 weeks (the total is 78 weeks if you are self-employed)
• You can be either a homeowner or renter, and you can deduct the cost of moving household goods and the direct cost of moving you and your family. You can also deduct expenses for lodging during the move but not meals.

It is important to keep detailed records of all expenses during a move and consult a tax expert to make sure that you take all the lawful tax deductions allowed by the IRS criteria. For additional reading regarding moving expenses, the IRS publication No. 521 entitled "Tax Information on Moving Expenses" is also a great resource.

When you're shopping for a new home, choosing a neighborhood is almost as critical as choosing the home itself. If you're planning on purchasing a home, keep in mind that you're not just buying a house, you're investing in a neighborhood. to be extra careful in choosing the area you'll be living in.

A neighborhood needs to fit your needs, if have children the type of neighborhood can be even more important. Below are some tips you can use to help you locate the perfect neighborhood for your needs and family.

Before you begin to search for neighborhood it is a good idea to create a list of what you are ideally looking for. Perhaps you are looking for a neighborhood that has young families or a neighborhood that has local shops and restaurants near by. Keep in mind that you'll probably have to make compromises, so put the "must-haves" at the top and the "would- like-to-haves" at the bottom. Here are some things to consider: 

• Find out what houses in the neighborhood are currently valued at then ask a real estate agent how that compares with the average value five and ten years earlier. How much has the property increased? Has the neighborhood changed? Is the real estate agent aware of any future developments?
• If you have children or are you planning to have children, considering a neighborhood that has a good school system will be something to consider. Also parks and recreation is important items to consider when researching neighborgoods.
• If you need to commute to work, you may want to search for a neighborhood that has access to public transportation.
• Many neighborhoods have the same type of homes. If you are looking for a single-family home you may want to pass on neighborhoods that have mostly condos or townhouses. 
  Are you looking for a neighborhood that has shops and restaurants within walking distance?
• It is also a good idea to think about what you don't want. You want to be sure your neighborhood is safe. Check with the lcoal police department on crime statistics for the area as well as be sure to drive around the area and do a visual inspection. Graffiti or other kinds of vandalism such as broken windows are warning signs as well as bars on windows.