Be wary of bargain hunters and Plan for the unexpected

Just like those real estate agent, you'll probably get calls from bargain hunters. Some people think that just because a property is advertised FSBO, that the buyer is desperate, or that the normal agents commission can be knocked off the price even before starting to negotiate. Keep an open mind but be wary.

Plan for the unexpected

An opportunity (or problem) could present itself at any time. It is best to be prepared to grasp opportunities, or nip problems in the bud before they get out of hand. Plan for the unexpected.

Be prepared for calls from agents

Facing a barrage of calls from agents wanting to list your property is something you need to be prepared for. They are only doing their job so don't get too annoyed or upset. Besides they are use to knock-backs and in most cases immune to abuse. Just be polite and tell them you are handling the sale yourself.

They may even offer some tips and guidance.


Be prepared for the oldest trick in the book

Some agents will ring telling you they have a buyer. Don't slam down the phone too quickly, because they might be telling the truth. They might genuinely have a buyer for your house. What they usually mean is that they have buyers who are looking to buy a house in your area. Not necessarily your house, but "a" house in your area. There is a big difference!

They may even ask, "Is it alright if I bring someone around to have a look? "

Again that doesn't necessarily mean that they have a buyer for your home. Remember, they are in the business of showing people through houses.

Most agents will just be fishing for a listing. They just want to get their foot in the door so they can pitch for your commission.

If you do want to sell your house yourself then just tell the truth.

If they persist then suggest they post you some information. They probably won't bother.

Be prepared for calls from agents

Facing a barrage of calls from agents wanting to list your property is something you need to be prepared for. They are only doing their job so don't get too annoyed or upset. Besides they are use to knock-backs and in most cases immune to abuse. Just be polite and tell them you are handling the sale yourself.

They may even offer some tips and guidance.


Be prepared for the oldest trick in the book

Some agents will ring telling you they have a buyer. Don't slam down the phone too quickly, because they might be telling the truth. They might genuinely have a buyer for your house. What they usually mean is that they have buyers who are looking to buy a house in your area. Not necessarily your house, but "a" house in your area. There is a big difference!

They may even ask, "Is it alright if I bring someone around to have a look? "

Again that doesn't necessarily mean that they have a buyer for your home. Remember, they are in the business of showing people through houses.

Most agents will just be fishing for a listing. They just want to get their foot in the door so they can pitch for your commission.

If you do want to sell your house yourself then just tell the truth.

If they persist then suggest they post you some information. They probably won't bother.

Stay positive and don't worry unnecessarily

You will get knock backs when selling your house. Not everything will go your way. So try and remain positive regardless of what happens.

Positive people are inclined to ooze with enthusiasm, encouragement and confidence. It is contagious!!!

Negative thinkers on the other hand, make it a habit of dragging others down. Their destructive attitudes and pessimistic ways of reasoning can instil fear and cast doubt. Stay positive!!!

I know that is easier said than done.

There is a big difference between being prepared and worrying yourself sick over what might or might not happen. Worry, stress and nervous tension are big problems in this fast paced society we live in. Most of the things we worry about will probably never happen. Many seemingly unsolvable problems often fix themselves given a little time.

Thinking and then taking action solves problems, but worrying often compounds and magnifies the problem. Break problems down into smaller components and deal with each part one at a time.

Just keep in mind that selling your house is not going to happen instantly. Selling your house will take time and perseverance. Try and relax, stay focused on your game plan and do the right things necessary to bring potential buyers through your front door. If you are well prepared then you will have more confidence and be more in control.

Selling your home... get details right!

Many home sellers have high stress levels, or fail to succeed to sell their own home because they won't, or cannot, sweat the details. It is important to see the big picture, but it is equally important to get details right.

Any expert in time management will tell you to prioritize your tasks. The best way to achieve this is to detail everything you have to do. Write tasks down on a "TO DO" list and then prioritize them. Do the most important tasks first and the least important last.

Accept that not everyone will like your house

When you use an agent he or she usually hears all the comments (good and bad) about the property. The agent will usually provide you with feedback. However, when you are selling your property yourself, you'll probably hear these comments first hand. Although, realize that sometimes people will have a different attitude when talking directly with the property owner. Either they'll be more polite by not telling you what they really think, or they'll be very direct and attempt to knock the price down by criticizing the property at every opportunity.

Anyway, be prepared for people to pick holes in you home. It may not always be pleasant as to some extent they are criticizing your personality. You probably chose the decor... you planted the trees... you designed the kitchen layout etc. So when someone says "it sucks!" ... that's not very nice to hear.

Accept that you are never going to please everyone.

TO SELL YOUR HOUSE -IT TAKES ONLY ONE QUALIFIED BUYER !

By using a systematic marketing plan you should have a steady flow of potential buyers that make the negative observations of any single person look irrelevant.

When you sell, set your goal and then take ACTION

It's been said that knowledge and awareness is power. But, in my opinion knowledge is NOT power. Knowledge PLUS action is power, great power.

You see, the thing is, the information in this blog will NEVER work if you don't work it.

It's one thing to want to sell your own property, but quite another to actually set goals to make it happen. Moving from a "gonna-doer" to actually "doing it" means working towards goals in a conscious and dedicated manner.

If you set yourself up to expect success you will achieve success. It starts by telling yourselves that you can do it. It is about making things work rather than focusing on what you can't do and telling yourself you can't. The basic concept is really that simple, but extremely powerful.

Be patient and stay committed as you overcome each obstacle in the selling process

Every great athlete, businessperson, or great individual had to stretch and reach for his or her goals. They know that obstacles are a part of the goal achievement process and so they focus on succeeding rather than on what may be keeping them from succeeding.

It means overcoming hardships and setbacks, rather than giving up at the first sign of opposition or misfortune. Selling your own home is no different.

To do this you have got to be willing to take some calculated risks and be prepared to fall down from time to time. As kids we made mistakes all the time, that's how we learnt. However, as adults we have a thing called "pride" and we hate making mistakes.

Think of when you first learnt to ride a bike - you fell down, you got up, you fell down, you got up, and you kept getting up until you mastered it. You didn't give up. If one way didn't work you tried another way until you finally got the hang of it.

Obviously, with selling your own home you don't want to be trying forever. This manual will give you the helping hand you need, but you still need to be prepared to pick yourself up and move forward under your own steam.

Accept that you will make mistakes when you are selling or buying a house

With most new or big projects that you tackle, you will make mistakes. And when you look back on them, they'll seem so obvious because you've already made them.

Accept that you will make mistakes when selling your home- but the trick is to minimize them. This manual is designed to help you identify some of those potential mistakes in advance... before they happen. It will help you get the job done better and hopefully faster. By knowing potential mistakes upfront you'll have more confidence and control over the final outcome.

So, success doesn't necessarily go to the person who never makes a mistake. The fact is; those people tend to avoid risks at any cost. Rather, success tends to shine on those who recognize that life is basically a game of percentages. It isn't the making of mistakes that's so critical. What's really important is fixing them when they do happen, without losing site of objectives and goals.

When you sell your home, be mentally prepared

Everyone, at some point in his or her existence has listened to their little voice cautioning them against following a certain action. If you frequently question what you do and think, and swerve away from making decisions, then you may be stopping yourself from reaching your fullest potential.

Selling your own property is precisely what I am talking about. Because it may come as a surprise to learn, that most of the problems you will encounter when selling your own house, will be in your own mind.

There is nothing you can't achieve if you set your mind to it. And, it is a good thing that these problems are in your mind... because that way you are in control. Having advance warning of possible problems when selling your own home, will make the ideas discussed in this blog much more useful to you.

When selling, consider all possibilities

REASON FOR SELLING #1:

Expensive monthly mortgage interest payments.

Alternative Solution: Refinance your current loan.

Pros: If you have owned a home for several years and have not refinanced, you may be able to refinance at lower interest rates and significantly reduce your monthly payments.

Cons: Refinancing essentially resets the clock on your loan. This may cost you money over a period of time, however it is worth doing some calculations.

REASON FOR SELLING #2:

No money available to upgrade your home.

Alternative Solution: Refinance or consider applying for a home renovationloan.

Pros: Renovating and improving your home can increase its market value. This could prove to be a good investment for when you do decide to sell.

Cons: Increasing the value of your home may also increase the amount of property taxes you pay (depending on the laws in your country).

REASON FOR SELLING #3:

Need more space than is in your current home.

Alternative Solution: Consider remodeling existing home rather than buying a new one. A more open-plan style may provide more living space. Consider enlarging, or adding, a bedroom or bathroom.

Pros: Remodeling should improve the resale value of your home. It will also save you agent's fees and other costs associated with moving. You may need to use your home equity to finance the project.

Cons: Remodeling may mean an increase in the property taxes you pay. There is also the danger of over-improving your home. Some people fail to recoup their investment when they come to sell.

What are the alternatives to selling your property?

Homeowners faced with financial or personal problems sometimes sell their home for the wrong reasons. The Truth is, they might have been better off, had they thought more about their situation and considered some alternatives, without selling.

That's why before putting your house on the resale market it would pay to: think not only about why you are selling, but also consider the alternatives and carefully weigh-up the pros and cons to selling.

When you are selling a property, being in a state of indecision can be very exasperating and can cause needless stress and anxiety.

Not making a decision, or making the wrong choice, also has its downside. Don't only think about your reason for selling -- think about the alternatives -- then consider the pros and cons before you rush out of your house and put it on the market. And remember; regardless of your reason for wanting to sell your house, it usually pays to talk your ideas through with a financial advisor.

Be careful of what you say to a possible buyer

Although you should always be honest - by saying the wrong thing, or by having a simple "slip of the tongue", it could cost you dearly. You will need to choose your words carefully.

Decide how much information you are willing to give to a buyer without revealing too much, or misleading, or deceiving the agent or the homebuyer.

How desperate are you to sell your home?

Both the real estate agent and the homebuyer know that your level of motivation will be the driving force in the way you manage your house sale. They will want you to reveal how urgent the deal is and how negotiable and flexible you are with the sale of your property.

Are you desperate and willing to sell your home at any price? Have you already made a conditional offer on another house? Are you relocating to start a new job in a new town? Have your family status changed? Those are the types of questions that can reveal how motivated (or desperate) you are when you want to sell your home. They can have a big influence on the final outcome in terms of the conditions of sale and the negotiated price for your property.

That's why it is really important to decide exactly what you are going to tell a real estate agent or a potential homebuyer when you put your home on the market. Decide exactly how motivated you are to sell, before you put your property on the market. Think of how you are going to answer each and every question before they gets asked.