I think that incentives used in place of an appropriate listing price are worthless. Just price right. A buyer is not going to buy your house over the other one simply becuase you are offering a Pathmark gift certificate.

At Century21 Mortgage they have a program for a seller to offer a "buy down" of the interest rate. This directly helps the first time buyer by lowering their mortgage payment the first year.
Your local Century 21 agent can help!

The best incentive in this market is to price your property attractively.

Ameridream can get you in for no money down and no money out of your pocket.

http://getprequalified.com/article/105056/fha/what_is_amerid…

We have found that although incentives are great marketing tools they do not always get the home sold faster. In todays market you need to be well informed on the market and the area your home is located. Price your home correctly, prepare your home for showabilty, and make it available and you will find that your home will sell faster than if you overpriced it and offered an incentive.

While all incentives are good tools to attract buyers I really find that homes that show much better than the competition, with or without incentives, will sell much faster. Buyers today are much pickier than in years past. Think of it like this for every repair the buyer "thinks" your home needs, they will also think it will cost them 2-3 times the actual cost. The point is to do it right the first time. Price it fairly, prep for showings(clean), stage your property, remove the clutter(put it in storage, it will make you money in the long run), and get a good agent that knows how to do all these things. check out one of my listings, older inside, no incentives, and it sold in less than 3 weeks.

I agree that first time buyers don't want to put all of their money in the home. I would allow for a sellers assist which contributtes to the buyers closing costs. Most first time buyers would rather have that kind of help rather than a price reduction, however most banks put a limit on how much a seller can give back to the buyer and the home would have to appraise for the correct amount.
Good Luck!
Michael

Michael D Delp
Mortgage Pro
4802 Old Bethlehem Pike,
Telford Pa. 18969
Ph- 215-453-1025
Fax- 215-453-1012
Cell- 610-762-0318
michaelddelp@aol.com
michaelddelp@verizon.net http://www.mortgagepro.instantlender.com

Entry level buyers typically do not have any extra money to spend on the house after the purchase. So anything you can do to have the house in "turn-key" condition helps. Start with a deep cleaning and fresh paint in neutral colors. Anything you can contribute to the buyer's closing costs will be attractive. You might also give incentives like a gift card to Home Depot or Lowes, or a certificate for a garden center. In these days of high gas prices, you might try a gas card. Or perhaps, a gift card for the local supermarket.

BEST ANSWER
Buyers just getting into the market don't have equity from the sale of another home. They don't usually own their own appliances, or have money to make major repairs. So.... seems to me it makes sense to price the home fairly, but include some help with closing costs. Leave the refrigerator, washer and dryer, etc. with the home if the buyer has use for them. Provide a home warranty so that they feel safe to buy the home even though it is not brand new and may require an unexpected repair. I would even ask them if they want you to leave curtains, the picnic table, or anything else that you don't really want to drag along.
Of course you might not put ALL of that in the listing, but you can certainly use those items to offset a request for a price reduction.

Eileen's Green Team at Gateway Realty, inc.

Offering to pay closing costs both expands your target market, and provides a bargaining lever. Your agent should be able to advise you further.

FIRST ANSWER
I believe that the combination of the right price and an aggressive marketing plan is the best way to get a home sold. We are one of the top Real Estate companies in the area. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Gregory S. Parker, CRS
Coldwell Banker Realty Professionals
2924 Swede Road
East Norriton, PA 19401
Office 610-277-5000 Ext. 249
Direct 610-994-1147
greg.parker@coldwellbanker.com http://www.PhillyAreaHomeHunter.com