Even though the real estate market is active, there are times of the year when it is a buyer's market for home sales. That means there are more homes for sale than there are qualified buyers. But if you do everything just right, your home will sell while other nearby houses remain unsold. The secret is in knowing what steps to take. Here are 5 easy steps to follow in a Buyer's Market:

1. Preparation
Get your home into first-class condition. The most important step in selling your home in any market is to get it into top shape. Make it stand out from the other homes for sale by painting, fixing, and cleaning everything. Make the house sparkle. Pretend you are a home buyer and look critically at every room of your house. Your goal should be to have your home in perfect condition so that all the buyer has to do is unlock the door and move in. If something needs attention, do not cut corners. Just do it!

For example, most garages are dark and dreary places. Make yours shine. If your garage does not have finished walls, have them sheetrocked. Then, paint the garage walls white. The cost is small compared to the improvement. Next, paint the cement floor gray with special floor paint. The cost should be less than $100. Buyers will spend time admiring a detailed garage but will just peek into a dark, dingy one. A clean garage will make your house stand out from 90% of the other homes on the market.

Do not try to get away from making the necessary improvements by thinking you can give an allowance so the buyer will do the work. For instance, if your carpeting needs to be replaced, the cost may be only $3,000. But buyers put a value of much more than that on new carpeting. So it makes sense to replace it with good-quality, neutral wall-to-wall carpeting.

Pay special attention to your kitchen and bathrooms. All appliances should work properly. Install new middle-of-the-line models if the existing ones are worn out. Money spent on new appliances can make your home sell fast for top dollar.

2. Hire an Agent
Hire the best real estate agent. Your key to successfully selling your home in any market is to select the most successful agent in your neighborhood. Do not even think of trying to sell your home without an agent. Have your friends, neighbors, and business associates make recommendations and phone nearby real estate offices to get the names of their top agents. After you have as least three names, you are ready to set up interviews.

You need the best and you cannot afford to list your house with an inexperienced or unsuccessful agent. Although any agent can put your listing into the local multiple listing service (MLS), that is not enough. You need a successful agent who works well with other agents and knows how to get buyers to make offers on your home.

Incidentally, pass on any agent who does not bring you a written comparative market analysis. This report shows recent selling prices of similar houses in the neighborhood as well as the asking prices of comparable houses. Successful agents will also give you a list of their most recent sales with the seller's phone numbers. It is a good idea to call a few of those sellers to verify that they were satisfied and would list with the same agent again. If any agent neglects to give you this information, ask for it.

If an agent cannot give you a list of their most recent sales, keep looking for someone who is better prepared. Also, do not sign a listing for more than 120 days, just in case the agent you select does not properly market your home. Any agent who does not have enough confidence to take a 120-day listing is not the one you want to be working with.

Ask each agent to explain exactly what they would do to sell your home. They should have a written plan.

3. Pricing
Price your home correctly. After selecting the most successful real estate agent in your community to sell your home, the next important step is pricing it right. Review the agent's written comparative market analysis. With the help of your agent, add or subtract value for the pros and cons of your home, compared to the houses that have sold. Be suspicious of an agent who inflates the value of your home just to get your listing.

4. Price Reductions
Reduce the price if it does not sell within two months. The primary reason a house does not sell when the asking price is too high is because buyers think the seller is not serious. A price reduction may be all it takes to get a purchase offer on your home.

5. Terms
Offer attractive sales terms. Unless you absolutely need all your cash, be flexible about the selling terms. Consider carrying back a first or second trust deed. Or, perhaps a lease-option is better for you. Properly marketed, lease-options can sell virtually any property.

So there you are. It is that simple. To sell your home in any market, be sure it is in tiptop condition, marketed by the most successful agent in your community, priced correctly, and with flexible terms. Be prepared to adjust the price if you are getting showings but no offers.

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