If you are like most sellers these days, the process of selling your home – often for much less than you ever thought possible – is quite unappealing. However, for many individuals, their options are limited and they must sell.

With that said, there is a way to sell and a way not to sell, particularly in today’s market. There are those sellers who stress every day that their home hasn’t sold; there are those sellers who hound their real estate agents even when there is simply no news to report; and there are those sellers that simply refuse to believe that their home is no longer worth what is was when they bought it three years ago.

None of the above mentioned homeowners are doing themselves any good. In fact, they could be causing themselves loads of undue stress and pressure, both of which are counterproductive when trying to sell a house.

The following list is designed to keep you emotionally and mentally grounded when selling your Dallas County home during this tough, economic period:

• You will get low-ball offers. Expect them and try not to be insulted. There are a certain number of buyers that assume, because of the lousy housing market, they can come in with a ridiculous offer and that it might just get accepted. You have two options when this happens: you can outright refuse their offer and tell them to resubmit a reasonable offer or you can fly off the handle and refuse to even counteroffer. Don’t let your emotions and anger get in the way of a potential sale; simply counteroffer and make it clear to the buyers that you will not, in no uncertain terms, accept an offer that low. If the buyer is serious he will submit a new offer; if not, he will walk away.
• Your home will not likely sell in a week. Expect it and be prepared to wait it out. The housing market just isn’t what it used to be a few years ago. Homes typically do not fly off the market in a matter of days. You must accept this fact and be prepared to wait a few months to find that right buyer. Remind yourself that this is common and try not to dwell on it too much.
• Stay in touch with your real estate agent. Trust that your real estate agent is working hard to sell your Dallas County home. Keeping in contact with your real estate agent is important, and expecting a weekly update is not out of the question. However, barraging your agent on a daily basis about the status of your home is only taking him or her away from the job of selling your home and really accomplishes nothing more than frustration on both ends.

So, you are ready to sell your home and you desperately want a quick sale. What home improvement projects should you take on and which ones should you abandon?

We all want top dollar for our homes, but we also don’t want to make home improvements that will not produce a healthy return on our investment. Although the area in which you live will likely dictate which home improvements are well worth your time and investment, there are five home improvements that are sure to benefit sellers everywhere:

1.       Paint your walls. There is absolutely, positively no better way to increase the value of your home than with a coat of paint. And luckily, there are few home improvement projects that are as inexpensive. A fresh coat of paint throughout your University Park home will make it appear fresh, clean and inviting.

2.       Replace your carpeting. If your carpeting is worn, stained or has simply seen its better day, then you may want to consider installing new carpeting. An attractive, neutral carpet will do wonders for your home’s appearance. Plus, you will likely see a 100 percent return on your investment.

3.       Update your lighting fixtures. Nothing outdates a home like old light fixtures. Luckily, most lighting fixtures are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

4.       Purchase new kitchen appliances. Buyers love new appliances, so there is simply no better way to lure them in than with new, shiny appliances. Plus, new appliances can be used as a bargaining tool during the negotiation process.

5.       Improve your home’s curb appeal. Cut back any overgrown trees, trim your hedges, remove weeds from your plant beds and plant colorful annuals. Your home may look amazing on the inside, but if the outside looks less than stellar, you may lose many, potential buyers before they even walk through the door.