10 ways to cut your food bill

15 Tips for selling your home during a recession

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Struggling to sell your home during these difficult economic times? As the number, of buyers dwindle, home owners need as much help as they can get, to ensure their home sells quick and for a fair price.

Here are some excellent ideas Frugal Fred to help you sell your home.

1) Estate agents.

Make sure you pick the right agent to market your property. Ensure the agent has a proven track record of selling your type of property in your price range. Do not sign up for lengthy 'sole agency' contracts as this may cause you problems if you need to switch agents later.

2) Research your market.

Contact local agents and ask what is currently selling and what types of properties are in demand in your area, following their advice would be advantageous. You may need to change the way you market your home, to suit what's in demand.

3) Shower.

Installing a shower maybe expensive but could make the difference. As more buyers are demanding showers for convenience, research your target market first before spending money.

4) Clean your home.

Make sure the outside of your house has 'kerb appeal'. A neat and well presented house, free of garden rubbish, smelly bins etc will make a huge difference and will stand out in your perspective buyers mind.

5) Exterior paint.

Its worth paying a professional to freshen up the outside of your house, freshly painted doors, windows and walls always add value to your home and adds to the 'kerb appeal'.

6) De-clutter.

Make sure that your home is clutter free, buyers like to visualise how they would live in your home and this is always made hard when they see other peoples clutter on windowsills, shelves, dressers etc. Packing your clutter away will create an impression of space.

7) Features.

If you got that something special in your home, like an extra bedroom, fireplaces, large garden etc that make you home stand out. Emphasise these features, show buyers why they should buy your home.

8) Pets.

Most buyers don't like to come into a home full of pets or have a strong odour of pets. When showing your house to buyers, try to keep the pets away and remove pet odours with sprays, candles smelling salts etc.

9) Kitchen accessories.

Ensure the kitchen is clean, tidy and clutter free, use fresh fruits, vegetables and garden kitchen plants (sage, clover etc.) as accessories in kitchens and dining rooms.

10) Homely scents.

Before viewings, open all windows to air out the whole house. Use homely scents such as vanilla, coffee, fresh bread and cinnamon to enhance your homes appeal.

11) Re-decorate.

Repaint the walls and ceilings in a neutral colour scheme. This can be an in expensive way of transforming the way your home looks.

12) Replace worn carpets.

If you have old, worn carpet that is beyond cleaning, they can look and feel awful. Replacing carpet with new (even budget) carpet will give a positive look to your home and wont cost a fortune.

13) Replace old sockets, light switches and taps.

Replacing old and worn out fixtures can also give a great impression and doesn't need to cost a fortune, if you look around for quality replacements items.

14) Lifestyle additions.

Although, it can be expensive, adding 'lifestyle' luxuries such as plasma TV's, laptops etc.These visual aids can make all the difference as people can visualise their own lifestyles and when you sell, you can take these items with you.

15) Be smart.

Your own appearance can make a lot of difference when showing your home to buyers. People will take you and your home more serious if you're wearing smart clothes as opposed to dirty jeans, track suits etc.