You need to list your home for sale and for rent with a realtor who will price it accordingly. You need to be patient as our market has changed and continues to change on a daily basis. If your home is priced right, is in good repair , and has that WOW factor, there is no reason why your home won't sell. It does'nt hurt to add a cookie or two to entice buyers and the agents that represent them.

List it for rent with a large management firm and with an agent for sale at the same time. Smithfield should be seeing better days with the new 70 Bypass opened now.

Enjoy Charlotte! I was there for 7 years and loved it. Buzz me if you need help there because I work closely with a really good agent there.

Jason B. Graves 919-341-4109

Julie, the answers you've already received are great. I would only ask your preference; if you are in a position to rent your home, is that what you'd rather do? Do you need the equity from your home to buy another property? Are you planning to purchase a home in your new location? Is your current mortgage low enough that you could cover the mortgage or generate positive cash flow should you rent the home out?

Your decision is a personal one.. Look at your situation from all directions, get expert advice, and best of luck.

Julie
Homes have been selling, 30 in the last three months (see link).
Sellers are confused sometimes regarding what Fair Market Value (FMV) is for their home. FMV is NOT how much your owe, how much you need to net, how much you have invested. FMV is what a willing, knowledgeable, and able buyer will pay.

So you have two options - price it to sell, or rent it out. Talk with your new employer about a relocation package. Talk with Realtors about your options, and your CPA. Renting is not the end of the world, and might work out in the long run.,

Julie,
My recommendation to you would be to contact a Realtor who will layout their marketing plan, present a comparative market analysis of your property, and prepare a net sheet which will give you an idea of what will it take to move your property in the shortest amount of time at a price that you can afford. Both Daniel and Larry had great suggestions too. Your Realtor can help you find another Realtor to work with in Charlotte through their referral base. Good luck in your move.

Julie,
Daniel nailed it when he said price it to sell. You have to think about the fact that if you keep it and do not rent it the carrying costs of paying that payment plus any utilities and such. Price the home 2 to 3 % below market value and offer a home warranty. I do not do agent incentives but, if you still have any room to do any offer buyer incentives such as money toward closing costs.
You can always put the home with a property management company but then you still have the gamble of it being vacant every once in awhile.

Hope this helps,

Try Craigslist for renting your home. As for selling your home, price it to sell. You mention that you've had it for sale "on and off" for the last year. As a Realtor, that signals to me that you haven't been serious about selling. Many sellers are still "testing" the market, trying to get what they "think" their home is worth, rather than what their home is really worth. Just last week, I had a seller tell me that his listing price was what he paid for the home 2 years ago, so that's what he listed it for. Unfortunately, with the wear and tear that's occurred since then, it's not even worth that.

So, in a nutshell, look at your best comparables, and price your home just under those so that it is perceived to be the best "value". That's what buyers look for.

Best of luck in your move!

-Daniel