YES, THERE IS FRUSTRATION IN SELLING OR BUYING A HOME!

Whether you are buying or selling, it is hard to time the market. The market is challenging and add all the other frustration to buying or selling a home and you have a combination that is certain to bring on frustration.

Don't get caught up in all the "stinkin thinkin" that we tend to do in our lives. Easier for me to say than to apply...! Preparation and knowledge of the home buying or home selling process are the best way to calm down the overall process and get to the finish line.

Buying or selling a home can be a daunting experience at any time. Throw in high mortgage rates and the recession and the process can feel overwhelming. So, lets not worry about the packing the boxes, why your home should be worth what Zillow says, or signing of endless papers and wondering if you will have to use your first born child as collateral? (HUMOR)

A few tips for Buyers: 1. Make peace with the fact that you can't time the market. No one knows exactly what will happen with the housing market 3 months from now or 3 years from now.

2. Understand short term and long term ownership risks. If you are planning on staying in your home long term, you will have the time to ride out any downturns and could one day refinance your mortgage at a better rate.

3. Get your credit in tip-top shape. The higher your credit score, the greater your chance of getting as lower mortgage rate. Be prepared, get pre-qualified and be ready to move on the home that comes along and gets your attention.

A few tips for Sellers:

1. If you are on the fence about selling, do some local real estate reconnaissance. Get feel about what is really going on in your market. Find a local real estate agent who is knowledgeable who can give you your local list-to-sale ratio.

2. Get honest feedback about your home. Sure you love your shabby-chic decor' and you may not notice the delayed maintenance of your home, it is important to get a fresh set of eyes to tell you how your home may be viewed by a buyer.

3. Be strategic about staging your home. You want prospective buyers to step into your home and say "wow". Staging is a great way to elevate your home's appeal. Staging doesn't' have to be costly. An experience residential real estate agent can give you great affordable hints to help. Get empowered and understand the current market and that will help with the additional stress of the packing, unpacking, signing of papers and all the rest of the process. Knowledge is powerful.