To get the best price for your property, prepare to pinch pennies, present well, and drive a hard bargain with buyers.

Like all sellers, you'd like to command a high price for your home and every buyer would like to pay as little as possible. The sale depends on many factors, including market conditions, your home's desirability, and how quickly you want to sell. In most real estate transactions, sellers and buyers meet somewhere in the middle but there are ways to tip the balance in your favor.

The urgency to make improvements later on may be prompted by a leaking roof, a change in the size of your household, or the need to convert the basement into the headquarters of a home-based business. You have a number of options to pay for improvements, including paying cash. However, most homeowners favor financing the job, especially if it involves significant remodeling or repairs.

Get the facts. Don't spend money on a formal market appraisal. The best way to determine the value of your house is to have me do a market analyses since I specializing in your area. I will take into account recent sales data and your home's attributes. It is important to factor in your neighborhood's location into the equation. Sometime's a home that is built identical to one that is only 1/2 a mile away can vary considerable form one in a different neighborhood. This is why it is so important to have an agent that understands the strengths and weaknesses of the local market place.

Set your price judiciously. Typically, if you set your price 5 percent to 10 percent above market price, you are likely to end up with an offer close to your home's true value. Also try calculating the cost per square foot of your house compared to homes already on the market (divide list price by square footage of livable space). If your house has more features or other desirable qualities, you may want to set a higher price. Finally, follow an old retail maxim for hooking buyers: Set your price just under a whole number, such as $179,900 rather than $180,000.

Don't waste time. The longer a house sits on the market, the less likely you are to get the best price. Put your house on the market during the spring or fall, when the most buyers are looking; avoid the seasonal slow periods of mid-summer and mid-winter. Remember, you're paying property tax, insurance, and other costs while you're selling. If you've already bought your next home, expenses can quickly add up.

Have your house inspected. A pre-sale evaluation from a qualified home inspector can save both money and heartache. You'll end up with a list of repairs you can address before you sell. Most home buyers are going to want a home inspection before making an offer and if you can show them that you have already had one done this will make your house more desireable. The last thing you want is a surprise during the buyer's home inspection that will force you to lower the price or make costly, last-minute repairs before closing.

Get a home warranty once you list your house. In today's housing market, most buyers will make an offer contingent on the seller providing a home warranty so you might as well get one at the time you list the house. As an added service, if you hire me to sell your house I will provide the home warranty at no cost to you as a special thank you gift. The home warranty I provide protects your house from the time you list the house for sale so if something goes wrong after you list your home with me the repair is covered. Make your home a model home. Once you've made basic repairs, give your house the model home treatment. Your goal is to dazzle buyers willing to pay for a home in mint condition. Paint, floor polish, new light fixtures and fresh bedding plants are inexpensive ways to take your home from plain to profitable.

Finesse the purchase contract. In the purchase contract, avoid expensive terms such as paying a buyer's closing costs, and watch out for contingencies that could cost you time off the market. If a buyer wants to close the sale contingent on selling his or her current house, include a kick-out clause that allows you to back out of the deal within 72 hours if you receive an offer that does not contain contingencies.

Like all sellers, you'd like to command a high price for your home and every buyer would like to pay as little as possible. The sale depends on many factors, including your agents marketing plan, market conditions, your home's desirability, and how quickly you want to sell. In most real estate transactions, sellers and buyers meet somewhere in the middle but there are ways to tip the balance in your favor. Call me today and I will help guide you to successful and stress free sale!!