Robert W. Greer

Cheapest answer? Paint! Take a good look at the homes that are selling in your area. See if copying those winning color schemes will work with your house. Also, be sure to simplify each and every room. If you ever have a potential buyer stop to look at those family photos on the hearth you'll realize that your buyer has forgotten to pay attention to your home. - Wed Apr 9 2008, 18:03

MIke, if there are items on your credit report that are really a problem and you have to buy now, you might want to seek out properties that offer owner financing. In this lending market, with stricter lending guidelines, creative financing is often your best bet. Now, if you just suffer from having little established credit there are some things you can do about it. Talk with a credit repair agency. Even if you have no negative credit, they should be able to guide you in improving your credit. For Example: Did you know that if you have a relative or a friend that has good credit they can add you as a signer on their credit cards? When you get receive a card on that joint account you can simply make one purchase, pay your friend back the money you used, and the credit card will appear on your credit report and you will inherit their credit standing from that card. Lots of ways out there to improve a consumer's credit. - Wed Apr 9 2008, 17:54

Before firing your current Realtor you should really examine the methods your Realtor has been using to sell your property. All too often we see homes that could sell that are blocked by inflated asking prices, poor curb appeal, lack of access, etc. Take a good look at what your Realtor has been doing and what you have made available. You are right, there are many Realtors who simply load a property on the MLS and then wait for another agent to do all the work. But remember, when you expire a listing and rehire you may not get any better service......and your property is going to sit while a new Realtor begins to get his advertising in place. You might just want to discuss with your current Realtor the reasons for your home not selling....what can be done to increase the chance of a sale. If your Realtor has been trying, think how you would feel after spending time and effort and then being tossed aside? If you are contemplating relisting with another agent, are you also going to be lowering the price? Maybe your current Realtor should have a chance at a lowered price? - Wed Apr 9 2008, 17:42

Actually, a referral from a friend you trust is the best way to locate a reliable Realtor. I really hate to admit it, but real estate is one career that requires only a minimal amount of training and there are many inexperienced Realtors out there. A good Realtor is going to put your interests first. Since you are a buyer, in most cases the commission paid to your Realtor is going to come from the seller's proceeds, so don't worry about costs, just look for someone who will be there to answer all your questions with integrity and without a view to their own bottomline. - Wed Apr 9 2008, 17:33