Both exciting and overwhelming, the home selling process is definitely one of details and planning. As the national housing market continues to improve and bound back from recent recession, many homeowners are taking the next step toward selling their homes. If you fall into this category, avoid these 7 mistakes to remove the headaches from home selling.

1. Not using experts. Many homeowners want to sell their own homes but the logistics are daunting. Consider whether you want a licensed Realtor or an agent. Be sure you choose an experienced expert to manage the ins and outs of the selling process.

2. Ineffective marketing. Be sure you’re putting your home in front of the right audience. Communicate with your agent to ensure he or she is listing your home thoroughly and take advantage of Internet advertising.

3. Not fully disclosing all problems with the property. Trust between realtor, seller and potential buyer will dissolve when issues with the home are discovered later in the selling process. Be upfront about improvements and troubles before putting the home on the market.

4. Being too involved. Don’t hold your own open house or host your own showings – most buyers will be hesitant to ask questions if the homeowner is lingering around. Don’t get emotionally attached to the property. Remember that your memories don’t transfer to the new owner, and being overly sentimental will make the selling process more difficult for you.

5. Ignoring curb appeal. Be sure your yard is neat, toys are removed and from the outside, your home appears clean and welcoming. Small tasks such as sweeping porches and blowing off driveways make a huge difference.

6. Poor pricing. Pricing too high will drive away certain potential buyers but pricing too low is ultimately bad for the seller. This is an area in which your experienced agent will be of great help.

7. Forgetting about the details. Be sure your home is odor–free and pet–free when potential buyers are viewing it. Make the beds, keep the paint fresh and remove overly personal items from the home. Keep in mind, “what would I want to see if I were looking to buy a home,” when prepping for a showing.

There is so much to consider when selling your home if you want to do so effectively. Be open with your realtor, as he or she will have seen both positive and negative selling experiences in the past.

If your mortgage is larger than the value of your home and your property is seeing negative equity, it may seem like going into foreclosure is the best solution. But oftentimes, homeowners rush into walking away before understanding all their options. Being upside down on your mortgage is overwhelming, but there are other possible solutions to your problem that don’t carry such long–term effects that should be considered before leaving your home.

Refinancing
If you’re considering foreclosure, it’s likely you won’t qualify for refinancing but it is possible. Essentially, you would be trading your mortgage in for a new one with a lower monthly payment. Homeowners must have good credit scores, meet stiff requirements and have good income / little debt to qualify for refinancing.

Mortgage Overhauls
Speak with your lender about options for mortgage modifications. Extending the length of your loan period can often result in more manageable monthly payments. Lowering the interest rate and consolidating loans can have the same effect.

Short Sales
If your bank is willing to take less than you owe on your house, you can list it as a short sale. This can be a long process that requires understanding and work from both lender and seller, but its long – term effects on your credit are far less reaching than those foreclosure causes.

Secondary Loans
Face up to your financial situation before considering secondary loans. If you’re struggling to repay your current loan, a second one is not always the best option; however, speaking with a lending professional could help you understand if a supplementary loan is a good idea for you.

With the recent struggle in the housing market, efforts have been made to help homeowners understand their options and avoid being taken advantage of when it comes to foreclosure. The Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable Program offers this advice on avoiding scams and getting help in the face of foreclosure.

• Contact a HUD – approved lending counselor. The service is unbiased and totally free.
• Be wary of any organization requesting fees for counseling or delinquent loan modification services.
• Don’t ever sign over your deed unless you’re working directly with your mortgage company.
• Don’t make payments to any organization other than your mortgage company.
• Recognize and avoid common scam approaches such as those requiring the quick turnover of papers in order to save your home and third party involvement in forgiving your debt.

MakingHomeAffordable.com is an excellent resource for homeowners considering foreclosure. If you’re upside down on your mortgage, understand your options and seek out the most reputable resources for assistance before deciding to walk away.

Deciding to purchase a home is the big step in what many first–time home buyers discover to be a daunting process. From searching properties to finding the perfect realtor; from worrying about buyer’s remorse to handling your finances, buying a home can be a complex course.

Thorough planning is the best way to avoid unforeseen dilemmas. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), first–time home buyers should carry with them – mentally if not physically – a checklist.

What does NAR recommend?

1. Create a wish list. Outline what you deem necessary in your new home, what features would be perks and be honest about the issues that would result in your ruling out a property.
2. Browse smartly. Look for homes in areas you’re already attracted to and browse within your budget.
3. Find a reputable, experienced realtor.
4. Inform yourself about the communities surrounding your potential new home. Learn about schools, crime rates and local businesses.
5. Get all the details about the property – tax records, repair records, pricing history, etc. You don’t want to be surprised when something unexpected is revealed later in the buying process.

Realtor Magazine also offers these tips for home buying preparation. They’re basic but weighted steps each potential home buyer should take before rushing into a decision.

1. Decide what you can afford.
2. Research potential places to live.
3. Start saving as soon as possible. A down payment on a new home is about 20% of the overall cost and closing fees range from 2 to 7 percent of the home’s cost.
4. Tidy your credit – getting financing will be nearly impossible if your credit is in a mess.
5. Research and determine your mortgage qualifications.
6. Get pre-approval for a home loan from your lender.
7. Calculate and understand the full costs of home ownership – taxes, insurance, maintenance fees, etc.

Buying a home, although sometimes a challenge, should be an exciting transition for you. Find an experienced realtor to help guide you through the process and approach each phase with open – mindedness and, most importantly, preparation.