Selling your house in a slow market

You’re likely to get more potential buyers through your house if you have an agent because your property will be listed in MLS, the Multiple Listing Service. That’s your widest exposure, but often it’s not enough.

If you’re desperate for a buyer, it’s time to do a little work of your own instead of leaving it all to the agent.

“If your agent has put black and white sales brochures in the box out front, insist that color flyers be provided. Gather competitor brochures and notice which ones stand out and which ones don’t.

If your brochure looks average, and the agent is using a stock template for your brochure, make your own. You want an attractive color photo of your house’s exterior and one of something special inside. Let the text be enthusiastic as well as informative. Dry recital of facts isn’t enough. Put your agent’s contact information on the brochure, too.

“Create a Web site and put its address on your brochure. The Web site doesn’t have to be fancy, but it needs to make your home look inviting. This is your opportunity to show more photos of your home.

“Take your brochure to local real estate brokers. (Yes, I know that your own agent won’t like it. But you only have one house to sell, and your agent has many.) This face time with the broker could make your house more memorable, and ideally the broker will encourage his agents to bring clients to your house.

“Give out your brochures everywhere you go. Ask to leave them on the counter of stores or bulletin boards. Give a few to everyone you meet. You never know whom other people know.

“Call mortgage brokers. They often work with people who want to be pre-approved so they can move on a deal immediately. If the brokers know about the house (out of a sea of so many others), they can steer clients your way. After all, the brokers don’t make money until there’s a closing.

You really do have to pull out all the stops if you want to get your house sold. Rule of thumb: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and assume that your agent will get your house sold.