Sometimes the price is based on emotional reasons ... "I lived here all my life, I raised my children here ... We planted that tree 30 years ago when we got married." You get the idea. Unfortunately, no one will pay for someone else's memories. Are you willing to pay a higher price for your next home just because the owners have fond memories of the place? I didn't think so.

Another popular pricing method is when FSBOs add their home improvements to the selling price of a neighbor's home. Here's why that doesn't work: Let's say last year you got an in-ground pool that cost $20,000. Now you're being transferred. Your neighbor's home (which is identical to yours) just sold for $195,000. You price your home at $215,000 (after all, you have an incredible new pool), but according to the Multiple Listing Service, there are 3 other homes in your area for sale priced around $199,000.

So, in this example, if you really wanted to sell your home without a real estate professional, you should price your home at around $195,000.

 Keep in mind: Your goal is to save the commission. What's the buyer's goal? Why would a buyer purchase a home from a FSBO when they can (for free) use the services of a real estate professional and get access to all the homes in the Multiple Listing Service? (See next page for article). Why would you purchase from a FSBO? The answer is to get a good deal. Ask yourself: How can the buyer get a good deal and the seller save the commission? It's not possible.

That's why pricing your home correctly is vital. Buyers will be armed with facts. They will have seen a ton of homes and will know exactly what your home is worth. But, they will not make an offer if you're not priced right.

 AIM  has made special arrangements with top real estate professionals across the country  to offer you a free competitive analysis. There is no obligation on your part. You'll get vital pricing information such as a competitive market analysis listing homes (similar to yours) on the market today and homes that recently sold. This information is retrieved from the Multiple Listing records to determine fair market value.

Here's what you can expect: An experienced real estate professional (in many cases the agency's broker) will call you in the next few days to make an appointment to see your home. A few days later, you will receive a competitive market analysis for your home. This is done for you as a courtesy. So, if you eventually decide to list your home, please consider using the real estate professional recommended by Suncastle