WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SELLING YOUR OWN HOME

Currently, over 10% of  Thailand  homeowners handle their own sales. But in order to be successful, you need to realistically assess what's involved. The routine parts of the job involve pricing your house accurately, determining whether or not a buyer is qualified, creating and buying your own advertising, familiarizing yourself with enough basic real estate regulations to understand (and possibly even prepare) a real estate contract, and coordinating the details of a closing. The greatest downside is the demand on your time. Remember, mistakes may cost you the money you're trying to save. If you do decide to go it alone, keep the following in mind. But, if, along the way, you find yourself in over your head, don't hesitate to call us. We'll be happy to help you through the process.

DETERMINE YOUR ASKING PRICE

Professional agents determine asking prices based on information you may not have at your disposal, including recent listing and selling prices of homes in your neighborhood. Establishing clear priorities at the outset it crucial. Think of it this way-if you had to choose, are you more concerned with selling quickly, or getting the most money possible? What would you pay for the house if you were the buyer? Third-party views will help you start thinking of your house as a commodity, with positive and negative selling points. Then you should decide on a price that you feel is competitive and consistent with other houses sales in your area.

FIX UP YOUR HOUSE BEFORE IT GOES ON THE MARKET

Unless your house is nearly new, chances are you'll want to do some work to get it ready for the market. The type and amount of work depends largely on the price you're asking, the time you have to sell, and of course, the present condition of the house. If you're in a hurry to sell, do the "little things" that make your house look better from the outside and show better inside.

CREATE "CURB APPEAL"

"Curb appeal" is a common real estate term for everything prospective buyers can see from the street that might make them want to come in and take a look. Improving curb appeal is critical to generating traffic. While it does take time, it doesn't have to be difficult or expensive, provided you keep two key words in mind: neat and neutral.

Neatness sells. New and neutral paint, an immaculate lawn, picture-perfect shrubbery, a newly sealed driveway, potted plants at the front door - put them all together, and drive-by shoppers will probably want to see the rest of the house.

MAKE SURE YOUR HOUSE SHOWS AT ITS BEST

Make your house look as clean and spacious as possible. Remember, people may look behind your doors, closet and crawl space doors, as well as those to the bedrooms and bathrooms. So get rid of all the clutter. After you've cleaned, try to correct major cosmetic flaws. Paint rooms that need it. Regrout tile walls and floors. Replace worn-out carpets. Update old faucets, light fixtures, and the handles and knobs on your kitchen drawers and cabinets.