The scenery is better and the gentle breezes off the ocean are second to none, but trying to sell real estate in the Bahamas can be just as challenging as it is in other parts of the world when the real estate market is in a downturn.

During these recessions, researching to find a qualified real estate agent and taking special steps to market your real estate effectively can mean the difference between a property that sells for a fair price in a short time and a property that languishes in the doldrums. market, said Rachel Pinder, director. Island Living Real Estate broker in Nassau.

Brenda Knowles, a broker at Island Living Real Estate, suggests that property owners ask a potential real estate agent these questions when considering the best person for the job:

o How will you market the property?

o What is the history of your company?

o What is the previous experience/realtor of your agents?

o How long have they been in business?

o What is the current market trend?

o Do you cooperate with other real estate agencies?

o What changes do I need to make to my property to make it competitive in today’s market?

In short, sellers need to figure out how the real estate agent intends to market their property, Knowles said. There are several marketing standards that most realtors employ when listing properties, so coming up with the options that set one realtor apart from everyone else is paramount.

It’s important to remember that the best marketing plan can’t do much; a homeowner should follow the advice of his real estate agent to keep his property looking its best, Pinder said.

“It seems counterintuitive to put money into a house you’re trying to sell, but as many TV shows on the subject show, you really can get a better price for your house if you put a little money into making it.” it’s attractive to a broad spectrum of potential homebuyers,” she said.

Here are some easy and relatively inexpensive tips:

o Make sure the house is freshly painted in neutral colors.

o Remove personal items, such as family photos.

o Make minor repairs: patch holes in walls, fix cracked tiles, replace broken windows, etc.

o Get rid of clutter, inside and out

or clean, clean, clean

o Give curb appeal to your front entrance by adding colorful flowers.

Another tip to remember is to price the property correctly.

“Don’t try to overprice your home in a down market,” Pinder said. “It will not be sold.”

© 2007 Sinai Marketing and Island Living Real Estate. Permission to publish is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as the sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of links embedded in this document.