To sell or not to sell, is that your question? In today™s market it’s understandable if you’re a little apprehensive about selling your home. Families are putting off moving up to a home with more space for their growing children; couples are rethinking downsizing now that they are Empty Nester’s, and a vacation home seems out of the question.  

As you ponder all of the reasons not to sell, stop and take a fresh look at what you’re basing your decision on. Make sure you know and understand all of the facts – here is some food for thought.

Evaluate what you hear in the media. Just because the national real estate outlook seems to be on a down slope does not mean your area is impacted to the same extent. Research home prices in your state, county and immediate neighborhood to obtain a firm understanding of your local situation.

Ensure you understand your financial situation and are aware of the assessed value, as well as, the market value of your home. The assessed value you receive from the county does not predict how much a home buyer is willing to pay for your home. Tour homes that are similar to yours and talk with a Realtor about local market conditions.

Make a plan and be realistic about your home™s appeal, inside and out. Have a Realtor come through and provide a critique for you. It does not obligate you to anything and will provide you with some helpful information  about what today’s buyers are looking for in a home, as well as, how much value is being given to certain upgrades – do this before you start to make renovations to be sure your changes are adding value.  

You don’t have to  go it alone when researching  the market. Use all the resources at your disposal to conduct your analysis. Talk with lenders,  review online information and talk with your local  real estate agent. You may be surprised at how close you are to moving on up, scaling down or vacationing in the tropics.