Bernie Stephan, Eco Realty - Managing the Real Estate in a Divorce

• Reduction of the asking price • Seller-paid points • Help with the down payment • Help with closing costs • Offering to close in a short time • Offering or transferring a home warranty • Prepaid property taxes for one year • Payment of HOA fees or landscaping and pool maintenance • Offering a mortgage buy-down

The list is as long as the agent is creative, so discuss each of these with your listing agent before agreeing with a buyer. Be sure to spend the time working on these possibilities and putting them in your arsenal of negotiation tactics. NOTE: There may be restrictions imposed upon the real estate agent because of agency laws; there are also lender limits on buyer credits, and they must be properly disclosed. Be sure to stay within the limits of the law.

KNOW WHY HOMES DON’T SELL

Homes that don’t sell for extended periods of time are usually priced too high for the neighborhood. Strategic pricing will always be the top reason homes sell successfully.

Here is a list of other reasons why homes don’t sell:

• The home is too cluttered. Piles and stacks of stuff discourage buyers. • The home interior is dated. Old colors and old flooring deter sales, so make necessary upgrades to freshen up the