Desperate times call for desperate measures. Just ask any local homeowner attempting to sell their home in the difficult real estate market we are experiencing today. Sellers are getting creative in a bid to ensure a SOLD sign in the front yard. Everything from vacations to cold hard cash is being offered to not only buyers, but agents as well.

One local homeowner is offering an interesting incentive to anyone who can find a buyer. A five-night stay in Mexico, including round trip airfare, is up for grabs for the real estate agent who sells the home. The home’s broker, Todd Denkmann of Coldwell Banker explains, “The seller came up with the idea to grab attention.” And grab attention it did. The home has been enjoying a flurry of activity, but as of yet, no sale has occurred. “The showings have been steadier this month,” adds Todd. “The intent is to make more agents aware of the home so they might bring it to their buyers’ attention.”

Home staging is another helpful technique homeowners are turning to to assist their home in selling faster and at the best price possible. Provident Home Staging owner Angela Mager touts the benefits of home staging. “The only secret I’ve found to counteract the current negative market conditions are to prepare your home to sell through professional staging. This often involves de-cluttering, neutralizing colors and rearranging furnishings,” she says. Angela has seen an increase in business correlating with the housing market’s downward spiral. With the peak home sale season ending soon, she has noticed added interest in staging. “People are starting to panic,” she says.

More and more desperate homeowners are pricing their home very competitively in today’s market. This is a key aspect of selling your home. “I know it is painful for homeowners to hear, but the number one reason a home does not sell is the fact that the price doesn’t reflect the current market value,” says Marie Ippolito, Broker and First Vice President with FC Tucker. “It is hard for any of us to deal with the fact that our home is worth less today than it was a year ago (my own home included!).”

According to Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors, the average sale price of Indianapolis homes in the month of April went down 5 percent from the previous year. Sellers must take this information into account when pricing their homes.

Marie points out that while homeowners may have to reluctantly sell their home at a lower price that reflects today’s market, they can make up the difference when purchasing a new home that is also value-priced by the owners. “While you may sell for less, you will also pay less when you purchase,” notes Marie.

Homes are still selling despite the bleak market. Low mortgage rates are making purchasing as part of the American dream even more enticing. By using techniques like home staging, a low asking price, or even a vacation offer, you can make your home attract the attention and the buyer it deserves.

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