PUT AN INSIDER TO WORK!

Home ownership has been called The American Dream. And yet, while 7 out of 10 Americans are either directly impacted by a disability, or know someone who is, only 7 percent of all adults with disabilities are homeowners. What's wrong with this picture?

Fortunately, homeownership is beginning to grow among this segment of our population, encouraged by the development of special programs aimed at helping those with disabilities to finance a home. And why not? These families have the same qualifications and dreams as anyone else.

It's just that their needs are different, and a trusted real estate professional can be an excellent resource in finding a home in a community that offers the features and benefits most suited to those needs. "Location, location, location" becomes even more critical when you factor in the need for proximity to special-education schools, medical facilities, accessible transportation and recreational activities.

When facing relocation to a new area, it can be overwhelming for almost anyone to discover information about these resources, but it's an especially challenging search for the disabled and their families. Because of their involvement in the local community, active real estate agents have an insider's knowledge of the resources and support available for families with special needs. When faced with the excitement and anxiety of such a move, turn to an experienced professional for assistance.

FACTS, NOT FANTASY!

Confused about setting an asking price for your home? It's not surprising, considering the mixed signals you might be receiving about the "national" real estate market. First, understand that there is no such thing as a national market - only thousands of individual markets experiencing different conditions.

If you don't have detailed information about local home sales, it's just about impossible to determine your home's value to buyers. Even prices from just six months ago probably won't hold up, so it's critical to have access to real-time information about trends in this market.

Details should include the total number of properties currently for sale, the number of both pending and sold units, the average listing time, and the average listing price and sale price. You must compare pending sales and final sales, because the pending transactions really reveal where the market is heading (as opposed to where it was when a sale took place.)

Start your pricing decision by contacting a real estate professional, who has access to this information and the experience to interpret the facts. Your representative will not set the price for you - that's your final decision. But don't be surprised if the agent walks away from an overly optimistic asking price, because the agent can't afford to invest time, money and energy in an overpriced listing, and neither can you.

LIGHTS... CAMERA... "ACTION!"

There's a big difference between listing a home and selling a home. Nowhere is this more evident than on the Internet, which has evolved into an excellent advertising medium. When combined with newspapers, real estate magazines, direct mail, and other marketing tools, the World Wide Web can play a large role in exposing your home to potential buyers.

Many buyers begin their search online to educate themselves about neighborhoods and to locate homes in their price range. While the listing exposes your home, it does not sell your home. Once buyers have targeted some attractive possibilities, they still turn to a qualified real estate agent to represent their best interests as they plan their purchase.

Talk in detail with your representative about your home's online presence, and get some ideas from current offerings on the brokerage's website. You can ask to preview your online listing, and in many cases, you'll be able to offer a "virtual tour" of your property. More and more buyers are taking advantage of this powerful marketing tool, and you can also take full advantage by presenting your home in warm and bright full color photos and video.

Don't worry - you won't need a digital camera or video recorder. The real estate agent has all the tools and skills necessary to produce a feature that puts your home in the spotlight!

Share the Love!

Have you ever heard of the "home staging" profession? These individuals assist sellers with presenting their home in a fashion that will increase the likelihood of a full price offer. While the value added by such professionals is often worth the investment, many sellers can put the basics into action themselves, and enjoy the same benefits.

There are several "quick fixes" that stagers commonly recommend, and here are some highlights for your consideration as you prepare to market your home.

First, the dirty work. You've got to clean your windows, but don't forget about washing all the screens to let in as much sparkling sunlight as possible. In tiled bathrooms, clean and regrout the floors. You know what they say about cleanliness!

Second, create space in two ways. In the kitchen, roll away any movable utility carts and clear clutter off the countertops and the refrigerator. In the rest of the home, move the furniture one to two feet away from the walls to create the illusion of more space.

Finally, impart a sense of warmth and coziness by making up beds with colorful sheets and comforters with matching window treatments. All of these preparations should make it that much easier for the buyers to imagine how comfortable they will be in this home. Your pride of ownership will encourage them to feel the same!