Existing home sales changed very little from April to May, according to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR). Although the overall national market for existing homes slowed 0.3 percent in May, NAR still anticipates close to 6 million units to be sold in 2007.

The thirty year conventional, fixed rate mortgage has risen to a national average of 6.26 percent in late May, compared to 6.18 percent in April. Despite this increase, NAR president Pat Combs explains that today's buyer is still in a great position. "Although mortgage interest rates are trending up, they are historically favorable, ” she said. “ The good news is buyers have more negotiating power with a fairly large supply of homes available in much of the country. Buyers who’ve been on the sidelines may want to take a closer look at current conditions in their area – if they wait for sales to rise, their choices and negotiating position won’t be as good as they are now."

May statistics for existing homes were mixed regionally. The Northeast rose 5.8 percent while homes sales in the Midwest increased 0.7 percent. The Western region saw a decline of 0.8 percent during this time, and sales in the South eased 3.4 percent.

All sellers with homes built prior to 1978 are required to fill out a lead-based paint disclosure form and provide you, the buyer, with a lead-based paint educational booklet in any sale. Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes.

Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.

On the other hand, there are millions of homes with lead paint out there, and many have been painted and repainted several times so the lead paint is well covered up. If in doubt, have the paint tested and evaluated either at a local laboratory, or with one of the home test kits available at your local hardware store.

The greatest way to show a home is to have a key available. This is typically done by placing it in a secure lock box, provided to you by your Real Estate Professional. This will give agents, with prospective buyers easy access to your property and promote showings.

Following these simple staging guidelines will also help:
· Keep all lights on, even on the sunniest of days
· Keep all draperies and shutters open
· Leave soft music playing at a low level
· Take a short walk or drive with your children and pets
· Let the Realtor and clients view the home without your presence
· Burn a scented candle to add a pleasant aroma to your home
· Let the buyer be at ease and let the agents do their job 

By employing these successful staging strategies with an aggressive marketing plan, we can achieve a maximum sales price in the shortest number of days. When you are ready, contact me today for a personal market value analysis of your home. No hassles or obligation - just honest advice on how to get top dollar for your home!