Is it a buyer's market? We've all read it; more homes on the market and homes remaining on the market longer. But prices are in conflict. I've read an equal number of reports that prices are down, vs. prices are holding and in some areas even rising.

So if you're interested in selling your home, even if prices are holding, you might ask, "How will I get my house to sell knowing there is a lot of competition?"

There is no stock answer, but you certainly can improve your odds. It's a fair adage to say that really nice looking and functioning homes, priced fairly, will always sell. They will.

Understand we are just talking about family home buyers, not investor buyers, not bottom dwellers, not the home buyer who is looking to pinch pennies and is looking for a "fix-up". Okay, so we are going to market your home to the average, two adult and 2.3 child family.

First, especially with a lot of competition this make believe family is going to be looking for a house that is "move-in" ready. The less they have to do, to picture themselves living and enjoying your house, the better chance you have that they will make you an offer. Understand that sentence.

You want to get your home into condition that a buyer says to himself, "all I have to do is move in the furniture". The Phoenix MLS is loaded with homes these days so the more your home looks like it came out of Homes and Gardens magazine, the more the buyer is going to like it.

So, whether you live in Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert or Tempe, or some other part of the country do the following. 1) Stand across the street and look at your home with a buyer's eye. What looks great and what doesn't. Correct/change all that doesn't including the yard, walkway, front door, front door hardware, roof, gutters, driveway, garage door. Whatever needs painting, have painted.

Whatever needs fixing, or cleaning, or landscaped, just do it. 2) Walk the side and rear yards. Is there a broken down tool shed? Remove it! Does the rear patio or porch need painting, paint it. Are the rear and side yards mowed, watered, looking great? If not, you know what to do.

Now lets walk through the home using the front door. Stop, and register what your first impression is. Is your eye drawn to paint that is not neutral? Are there any dings in the walls? The experts here in the southwest, especially Phoenix and Ahwatukee, say even though painting is expensive, it will pay you back in getting your home sold more quickly. Repair all minor flaws. Even if your eyes were not drawn to them, buyer's eyes will be. That was they easy part. Now take down all family photos, or family art work. Buyer's want to picture there own family here, not yours.

Now, de-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter! Remove all excess, non used items. Rent a storage space and pack them up and put them away ready for your own move. Also, if you are going to list your home with me in the Phoenix, MLS, pack or sell excess furniture so your rooms will look open and comfortable.

Last, clean the kitchen, refrigerator, and bathroom and make them like brand new as best you can.

If you do these things, where ever your home is, Phoenix, or Chandler or Ahwatukee, it will get more attention than the competition.