Just a few years ago, it seemed like selling a house was as easy as vending peanuts at a ball game-sellers were counting offers before the "For Sale" sign even went up in the front yard. Today's market is far less furious, however, and sellers are feeling the pressure. If your home is going on the market, be prepared to show buyers why your home is the one they can't pass up.

Capturing Buyers' Attention

Every seller wants a quick sale for a good price. The surest road to this outcome is dressing up your home. No matter what the market is like, buyers respond to homes that they feel are truly special. Depending on the condition of the home relative to other properties in your area, redecorating, landscaping, or even remodeling might be in order. Any investment you make should pay for itself, and then some, in the form of a higher sales price, and a quicker sale.

Leveraging Home Equity

In many cases, it makes financial sense to leverage your home equity to fund the necessary improvement projects. A home improvement loan in the form of a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is well suited for this purpose, because it's flexible and relatively inexpensive compared to mortgage refinancing or credit cards. A HELOC allows you to draw down and repay the funds at your discretion. As a result, you can complete the home improvement projects on your timeline, and then pay back the debt without penalty when you sell the home.

If selling your home is in your future, start planning now. Consult with your realtor about which improvements could increase the value of your home. Then, talk to your lender about financing. As a seller in a tough market, the onus is on you. Remember, it's a whole new ballgame.