Before you open your front doors to buyers, follow these simple steps to making your home a showing to remember.

1. Say goodbye to clutter.
The first step to staging your home is removing clutter. The less clutter you have the bigger your house will look. Take away extra pieces of furniture that can get in the way of people moving around a room.

2. Shine some light!
Warm up your home with staged lighting. Turn on your ambient lighting (overhead lighting) and your accent lighting (table and wall). This will give your home a welcoming looks and be inviting to potential buyers.

3. Stay neutral.
Put a fresh coat of paint over dated colors. Use warm, neutral hues that are appealing to the largest group of buyers. Try tans, soft blues and greens. Bold wall colors can reduce offers on a home.

4. Mix it up!
Instead of your collection of vases adorning one area of your home, mix your treasures in with other home accessories throughout your house. Mixing and matching accessories gives a home a better flow.

5. Give it some life.
Bring the outside in. Make arrangements from greenery in your backyard and adorn each room in your home with fresh foliage. Not only will it liven up your space for showing it will give your home a wonderfully fresh smell.

6. Comfort is key.
You know how wonderful a plush hotel bed looks after a long day of travel? Use what you have at home to make your couches and beds look luxurious.

7. Don’t forget the bathrooms!
Add luxury to your bathrooms with rolled-up towels and spa like accessories. A little primping goes a long way and it doesn’t have to break the bank.

Pricing your home is a big decision and one that should be considered very carefully. Because everyone shops on a budget potential buyers can either be turned away or pleasantly surprised by your home’s price. Follow these 4 tips when pricing your home.

1. Price your home for the local market.
Home prices are different in different areas. Housing markets are local. Comparables for similar houses in your area will give you an idea of the market. Look back as far as a year and find trends. Are prices going up or are they going down? If you’re using a real estate agent go over the comparables with them.

2. Ask about the market.
If you are using a real estate agent, don’t hesitate to ask them questions about the market. Ask them what the conditions are for your area, ask them about the competition and ask about trends; more specifically, what buyers are shopping for. The “absorption rate” is the best way to understand a current market. The absorption rate is the current conditions and inventory, and how long it will take the market to absorb (sell) all the currently listed properties.

3. Know what it’s worth.
Before you hire an agent talk to a few different prospects to find the one that can best represent your home. While you are interviewing agents ask each of them what price they would recommend listing your home at. This will give you more than one opinion to go on. Have your home professionally appraised. Add the comparables into the equation and you have a good idea of what your home is worth on today’s market.

4. Price your home strategically.
There are different ways to strategically price your home. Pricing your home according to research compiled from the market (such as comparable and agent recommendations) is known as market-oriented pricing. This is obviously very important, but you should also choose numbers wisely by using psychological pricing. We see this type of pricing everywhere, for example, products that are priced at $5.99 rather than $6.00. There’s not much of a price difference, but it sure does make a difference to buyers.

Staging your home is all about highlighting your home’s strengths and appealing to the largest group of prospect buyers possible. You want your home to make a great first impression and for buyers to focus on its great design elements. Give your home an edge on the market by clearing it of these 5 items.

1. Family Pictures- Potential buyers need to be able to imagine your home as their own. Gather up your framed family photographs for showings.

2. Clutter- Clutter makes a home seem smaller and impractical. Clutter lying around can give a buyer the impression that the home doesn’t have adequate storage. It can also give a poor impression of how well an owner takes care of their home.

3. Products- Think about all of the products you have in your home that get in the way of showing off its design perks; bottles in the shower, soaps by the sink and cleaners in the laundry room. Conceal these products in cabinets during showing to allow buyers to see what’s really there; beautiful bathroom tile, a nice large kitchen sink and roomy laundry room.

4. Pet Supplies- Chances are not all the potential buyers who view your home will be pet owners. To appeal to everyone who sees your home remove your pet’s toys, bowls and beds. Also, use a scented spray to give your home a fresh inviting smell and remove any pet odor.

5. Gadgets and Supplies- Extra gadgets and items used on a daily basis (for example: calendars and office supplies) sitting around the house can be distracting to potential buyers. These items will catch a buyer’s eye more than you think. You want potential buyers to notice your home’s great design and not unruly computer cords, cell phone docks and wall calendars.

There are many factors that contribute to the sale of a home. To start your successful path to selling your home, follow these simple steps to make the best first impression and bring in the buyers.

1. Staging is very important. First impressions are lasting ones. As much as you love your home as it is, it is important for potential buyers to be able to envision themselves in the home. To bring out all of your home’s great design features you should consider staging. Remember that less is more and don’t underestimate the impression a well-staged home can make.

2. Set a fair market price. It’s not uncommon that a home owner values their home above market value. It is important to not let sentiment get in the way of putting your home on the market at a fair value. Talk with your agent and compare what you think your home is worth to what the agent thinks you should list your property at. Remember that the price your home enters the market at is the first impression it is going to give shoppers. Pricing is a strategy, so listen to your agent’s opinion. The right price (if only a couple thousand from your desired asking) can bring in many more buyers.

3. Fix up what needs attention. Small renovations can help you get much more for your home. When you put money into getting your home ready for market, more often than not you’ll reap the benefits of a more profitable sale. Ask your agent to make suggestions on what you could renovate to help your home’s showing potential. Simple and inexpensive improvements such as painting and re-grouting the shower will help your home look fresh and cared for.

While there are many factors that contribute to the sale of your home, price is everything. It’s the price of your home that gets the attention of potential buyers, and eventually the new owner of your home. For a home to sell it must be a fair price. Luxury homes sell for fair prices just like homes in poor condition sell for fair prices. Each home has its fair asking price.

Some sellers spend months waiting for the one special buyer who will fall in love with their home’s shag carpet and original 70s kitchen, and who will pay extra for it. The reality is, as much as you love your home’s original design, buyers are less likely to appreciate it. Subsequently, they won’t want to pay top dollar for a home that needs work. There is a fair price for the home and in order to attract buyers, sellers need to hit the fair value right on the mark.

If you’re working with an agent and they are telling you that you’re valuing your home above market value, you should take what they are telling you into consideration. After all, your realtor wants you to get as much as you can for your home. They are on your side and aren’t in the business of devaluing your home. They want to work with you to sell your home in a timely manner. They don’t want you to wait months on end for a buyer, but instead sell your home quickly and at a fair price to both you and the buyer.

Be careful not to take it personally when a realtor suggests a lower asking price than you were hoping for. They know what sells homes; the price. They also know that when a great home is put on the market at a fair asking price the buyers will come knocking.

There are many benefits to hiring a realtor to help sell your home. Why go it alone when you can have a licensed professional by your side? Below are some great reasons to hire a realtor to represent your property.

1. Realtors know the ins and outs of real estate law. A problem free sale is what every home owner wants and to accomplish that you need to know what procedures to follow. Instead of going at it on your own, your realtor can handle procedures for you.

2. Realtors know the market. Agents keep a close eye on the real estate market. They know what’s happening and have a good idea of what to expect in the near future. Their daily exposure to market fluctuations gives them an advantage.

3. Realtors know what works. Selling a home isn’t as easy as sticking a sign in the front yard. For the lucky few that can work, but for the rest of the sellers out there their property needs to be marketed. Whether they’re advertising in the local newspaper or using their company website and social media to market your home, realtors know where to find potential buyers.

4. Realtors can be available to buyers even when you aren’t. When you use a realtor that you trust, you can give them access to your property for last minute showings. You don’t have to miss work or that long awaited vacation just because someone wants to see your home. Your realtor can stage your home, facilitate showings and lock up behind themselves.

5. Realtors know how to close. Closing a sale takes practice and patients. Contacting a potential buyer directly can cause tension between the two parties. Realtors act as the middle men, giving buyers room to make a decision without the added pressure of discussing the sale with the home owner.

With changes to the mortgage industry this year, it’s important to evaluate your home buying plans. Starting this year, mortgages must pass tests to meet standards of a qualified mortgage. The APR must be within the annual prime offer rate by 150 points. Loans cannot exceed 30 years, points and fees can’t exceed three percent of the loan balance and lastly, there are to be no negative amortization or interest only payments. These new restrictions mean that the lender is not at risk of being sued by a borrower unable to repay a loan because the mortgage qualifies for safe harbor.

Higher-priced qualified mortgages fall into their own class and their APRs exceed the 150 basis point limit. These loans fall under rebuttable presumption. This means that the lender complies with ability-to-pay requirements. CFPB regulations help protect buyers from taking on mortgages they couldn’t reasonably be expected to repay. These regulated limitations which went into effect this month have some people suggesting that acquiring a mortgage may be more difficult. While there are clear cut qualifications that need to be met borrows can also take into account the originators educated decision when approving or denying a loan. Clear cut qualifications aren’t the only thing taken into consideration.

As a potential homeowner there are a few things you can do to prepare for a purchase. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The new rules can be confusing and there’s no reason to not completely understand what you’re up against. Reduce your debt as much as possible. To attain a qualified mortgage you need your debt-to-income ratio to be 43 percent or less. Start the process by getting together your paperwork. Review your credit score, know where you stand and you’ll have a head start.

Starting the search for your new home is exciting. Today you have more recourses than ever to help you narrow down the search, but with all of the many real estate sites out there, shopping for a home online can be a bit overwhelming. The same listing, more times than not, will show up on multiple sites. So which site should you use to search for you next real estate purchase? Here are the internet’s top four sites (in no particular order) that each have great resources for you to use.

Trulia
Each buyer has specific things they are looking for in a home. Staying within budget tops the list that can also include a minimum of square footage, living within specific school zones and an easy commute. When buyers search Trulia they get all of this information and more. When you find a home you’d like to see in person there are local real estate agents ready to assist you.

Realtor.com
Realtor.com’s real estate database is an accumulation of over 800 MLS databases that cover the United States and Canada. The site is accessible from your iPad, iPhone and Android for on the go use. To make your home buyer easier Realtor.com provides site visitors with a calculator, guides, buying tips, home insurance quotes, moving quotes and storage quotes.

Zillow
Zillow’s US based database includes over 100 million homes. Buyers can search homes for sale and for rent. Zillow also displays homes that aren’t currently for sale so that buyers get a sense of a neighborhood and the homes values for that area. Also, if you’re looking to sell a home Zillow offers Zestimates (Zillow’s estimate on home values) to help you figure out what your property is worth.

RealEstate.com
RealEstate.com offers a database of listings of homes for sale, new construction, foreclosures, and rentals accumulated from listing services nationwide which helps provide accurate and up-to-date information. If you need to sell your current home RealEstate.com also has its own home value estimator. When you’re ready for a helping hand local real estate agents are just a click away.

The search for the perfect property has been simplified by the age of mobile apps. All you want to know about a listing is at your fingertips. View photos, review prices and read up on property details with ease. Get the most out of your mobile real estate search experience with these four simple tips.

1. Get Notified
Search alerts courtesy of real estate sites like Trulia allow you to set up alerts tailored to what you are looking for. Setting search alerts ensures that you’ll know when suitable new listings come available. If your search criteria changes during your house hunt you can make edits to your alerts and feel comfortable that you’ll always be in the know.

2. Driving Around
In the beginning of your house hunt, driving around gives you a great visual of the areas you’re interested in. When you find a house you like and want more information on you can use your mobile phone to pull up the complete listing. Instead of waiting until you get home and are back in front of your computer, you have all the information you need while you sitting right outside a home.

3. Open Houses
With real estate site mobile apps you’ll never miss an open house for your target properties. Instead of booking individual appointments you will be able to visit multiple listings on their open house days and even stop by other local open showings while you’re in the neighborhood.

4. Stay On The Same Page
Let your realtor know what alerts you are receiving and what mobile app you are using. This way they can send you new listings from the same sites and you can match up what you like with what they send you.