Ashland — People who want to sell their homes can make the transaction smoother and more financially agreeable by taking a few tips from local real-estate professionals, according to David Smith, president of the Ashland Area Board of Realtors.

Smith met with about a dozen at the Boyd County Public Library last week to share insights about the local housing market and provide a few basic techniques to make their homes more attractive to potential buyers. Among those suggestions were changing burned-out light bulbs, pressure washing vinyl siding and staying away when people are coming to look at the property.

Smith also strongly advised people to consider using a Realtor to help them with the process. The session began with a brief discussion about problems resulting from recent practices in the mortgage industry and advice to be cautious when working with the numbers.

“In our area we have a good group of lenders,” Smith said.

“If you are selling, be wary of buyers using an Internet lender,” he continued, explaining he knows a couple in Louisa who sent an Internet loan company $1,500 and received nothing for their money.

“But there are some good ones out there.”

Smith advised sellers to get a financial preapproval letter before taking their homes off of the market, but quickly adding the document is not a guarantee that everything will work out.

“It is better than nothing, but it isn’t cast in stone,” he said.

Many selling their homes have benefited from offering a one-year home warranty with the property, Smith said, explaining such a warranty is essentially an insurance policy that would cover the expense of replacing a heating or cooling system or plumbing or roof issues not identified as pre-existing conditions.

“It is a good selling point,” Smith said, explaining the warranty coverage costs about $300.

Smith also emphasized the importance of doing certain things for oneself, such as filling out the required three-page seller’s disclosure form that describes past problems and repairs to the structure.

“Don’t ever let anyone fill that out for you,” he cautioned.

Smith also encouraged the audience to consider all aspects of selling a home as negotiable.

“Commissions are negotiable. All conditions are negotiable,” he said, recalling one slightly unusual transaction that included all of the furniture in the home.

“Don’t ever let a Realtor make a decision for you,” he said. “That is your home.”

Sellers should rely on a Realtor for certain tasks, however, including financial qualifying potential buyers before showing a home.

“If you are selling your home and get a knock on the door, refer them to your Realtor. It’s just not a good idea to let people into your home that way,” he said, adding homeowners should make a point to protect valuables, including jewelry and cash before allowing potential buyers to visit.

Buyers, he said, will also be more comfortable if the homeowners aren’t home when they visit.

He said homeowners may hear comments they don’t appreciate when strangers evaluate homes.

Smith advised sellers to get rid of clutter, mow lawns, clean up trash, replace old light switches, paint, clean carpet and make sure there is a good place for a potential buyer to park. A minimal investment to have the home’s siding cleaned can also pay off, he said.

“Power wash is going to get you a higher dollar,” Smith said, adding homeowners should not be insulted by low offers they may receive.

In the local market, Smith said there are 748 homes for sale, with 186 homes sold since the start of the year. The most expensive home listed in the area carries a $1,575,000 price tag, although the average selling price for local homes is around $115,000. So far this year, the most expensive area home year sold for more than $460,000, while the least expensive was $10,000, Smith said.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.