If you're thinking of selling your Bay Area home here are some tips to help you get top dollar for your house.

If you plan to sell your Bay Area home in the near future, call a handyman to make sure everything is in working order. Then take a close look at your local real-estate market and find out what's selling, what's not and why

Get a Good Bay Area Realtor

The vast majority of all homes are sold by real estate agents, but all agents are not the same - not even close. The agent's experience, knowledge, and marketing plan can have a huge impact on your success. Make sure your agent is using the most aggressive marketing plan to get your home the exposure it needs for the right buyer to find it. Signing up with the right agent can make all the difference in the world.

Price, Price, Price
Selling a house is all about price. Ask too much, and you could get stuck with a home that languishes on the market. The longer it sits, the harder it is to unload. The first question a buyer asks is how long the house has been on the market? If it's been on a while, they ask what is wrong with the house.

Ironically, homeowners who ask more for their homes tend to get less in the end. Studies show that if you price your home properly it will sell faster and at a higher price than if the home was priced aggressively. Overpricing leads to low bids. Proper pricing leads to high bids.

So how do you set the right price? First, take a look at recent sales in your neighborhood. And don't forget to factor in the condition of your house. A home buyer in a more neutral market is still going to pay up for a new kitchen with new cabinets and a Sub-Zero Refrigerator. But if you failed to notice that Harvest Gold stoves and countertops went out of style with bell bottoms and love beads, you had better be prepared to drop your price by about as much as it would cost a new owner to renovate your relic.

Finally, don't expect to get more for your house than your neighbor got a year ago. This is a different market. Look at more recent sales data and price your home accordingly.

Curb Appeal
First impressions are everything. The last thing you want is to turn off a potential buyer before he or she walks in the door. So make sure the house is painted, and call a landscaper to get your lawn in tip top shape. If your grass isn't green, make it green. If you have weeds, get rid of them. If the shrubs are overgrown, cut them. Even small, inexpensive potted flowers can make your home seem more inviting.

If you are considering buying or selling property, planning to relocate, looking for East Bay Area homes for sale, or looking for any other information about real estate in the East Bay, or the surrounding areas, please visit the most complete website dedicated to everything real estate related www.ClydeBrownHomes.com.

If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and experienced Bay Area Realtor, or have real estate or mortgage related questions, please feel free to contact me I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me at 800-839-0665 or email me at Clyde@ClydeBrownHomes.com. For all your East Bay cities needs including Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward, Oakland, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. Clyde Brown Legacy Real Estate & Associates.