Among the latest mixed bag of housing data:

• Commerce Department: New home sales rose 14.8% from March and are up 47.8% compared with a year ago. Median sales prices are down 9.5% in the past year to $198,400. Housing starts rose 5.8% from March, but building permits fell 11.5%.
• Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller: Home prices fell 3.2% in the first quarter of 2010 from the previous quarter, but rose 2.3% from last year.
• National Association of Realtors: Existing home sales rose 7.6% from March and are up 22.8% from 2009.
• Federal Housing Finance Agency: House prices fell 1.9% in the first quarter of 2010 from the prior quarter, and are down 3.1% for the year.

Whatever you make of all this housing data, one thing is clear.

How much your home is worth is not based on what economists say or how much you put into it; it’s purely based on what someone else is willing to pay for it.

The best way to calculate your home’s market value is to compare it to similar homes in your neighborhood that are sold now. With time, value changes, so your market value may vary at any given time.

If you’re selling your home, learn how to calculate your market value and set a reasonable price for your market with FrontDoor’s Pricing Guide:

FrontDoor.com/pricing

ShareThis

Easter — and spring in general — are a time of renewal, and hopefully, this spring season, we’ll see new life and activity in the real estate market.

In celebration of glorious spring (and the end of a harsh winter), we’re sharing our seasonal tips to help home sellers make the most of this traditionally strong time for the market.

Staging Tips for Spring

Adapt Your Home to Its Selling Season: Spring Tips

And tune in to HGTV to catch your favorite shows and hear more about FrontDoor.com!

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2010/04/03/happy-easter-check-out-these-tips-for-selling-your-home-this-spring/feed/ 1 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/16/selling-during-the-holidays-try-these-tips-to-heat-things-up/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/16/selling-during-the-holidays-try-these-tips-to-heat-things-up/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:55:17 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1927 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Selling your home during the holidays? Try these tips to heat things up", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/16/selling-during-the-holidays-try-these-tips-to-heat-things-up/" }); ]]> With everyone in holiday mode, real estate may be the furthest thing from your mind. Unless you’re a seller who needs to move NOW.

If you’re in a bind this holiday season, HGTV’s FrontDoor.com wants to help ease your stress. Try these tips to bring cheer to what may seem like a chore:

• Add Winter Curb Appeal
• Snatch Those Serious Buyers
• Reel Buyers In Through the Web
• 7 Surefire Holiday Staging Tips
• Create an Inviting Home Buyers Will Love

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/12/16/selling-during-the-holidays-try-these-tips-to-heat-things-up/feed/ 0 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:47:23 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1911 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Have a side of real estate with your turkey with these holiday tips", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/" }); ]]> Thanksgiving is around the corner, meaning less focus on buying and selling a home, and more focus on preparing your current home for the holidays, shopping for presents and getting together with family.

If you’re like me, you’ll probably check out the movie “New Moon” to see what all the hype is about (if you haven’t seen it already). FrontDoor got into the vampire spirit with a slideshow showcasing the Cullen House from the popular “Twilight” movies, which is listed for under $3.3 million.

But if you’re among those hard-core homebuyers or sellers who won’t (or can’t) stop just because turkey’s on the table, here are some holiday tips from your friends at HGTV’s FrontDoor.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

• Stage the Halls: Dressing Your Home for Sale During the Holidays
• Culinary Cribs: Kitchens Made for Holiday Cooking
• Top 10 Tips for Selling During the Holidays
• Homebuying on a Deadline

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/11/24/have-a-side-of-real-estate-with-your-turkey-with-these-holiday-tips/feed/ 0 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/hgtv-frontdoors-tips-for-buying-and-selling-a-haunted-house/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/hgtv-frontdoors-tips-for-buying-and-selling-a-haunted-house/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:38:00 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1833 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "HGTV FrontDoor’s Tips for Buying and Selling a Haunted House", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/hgtv-frontdoors-tips-for-buying-and-selling-a-haunted-house/" }); ]]> It’s hard enough to sell a house in this market, but try selling a haunted house! It’s a challenge but not impossible. HGTV’s FrontDoor offers tips and advice to get the job done.

How to Sell a Haunted House

If you’re a buyer looking for the ultimate bargain, a haunted house or other stigmatized property may be right for you — if you can deal with the home’s gruesome past or unexplainable issues.

Reasons to Buy a Haunted House

6 Spooky Homes for Sale

If the idea of living in a haunted house scares you, there are plenty of haunted houses to visit. Whether it’s the creepy abandoned Victorian at the end of your block or the fancy haunted house attraction you pay to enter,  be safe and have a happy Halloween!

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/30/hgtv-frontdoors-tips-for-buying-and-selling-a-haunted-house/feed/ 0 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/26/could-you-use-3000-enter-hgtv-frontdoors-%e2%80%9cdesigned-to-sell%e2%80%9d-sell-it-fast-sweepstakes/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/26/could-you-use-3000-enter-hgtv-frontdoors-%e2%80%9cdesigned-to-sell%e2%80%9d-sell-it-fast-sweepstakes/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:05:28 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1799 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Could you use $3,000? Enter HGTV FrontDoor’s “Designed to Sell” Sell-It-Fast Sweepstakes!", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/26/could-you-use-3000-enter-hgtv-frontdoors-%e2%80%9cdesigned-to-sell%e2%80%9d-sell-it-fast-sweepstakes/" }); ]]>

You still have a chance to win $3,000 in our “Designed to Sell” Sell-It-Fast Sweepstakes. The contest ends Tuesday.

Enter now at
www.frontdoor.com/Sell/Designed-to-Sell-Sell-It-Fast-Sweepstakes-Entry/55243

And if you’re selling a home, be sure to check out our valuable tips and advice so you can get your home ready for buyers and make it stand out from the competition.

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/26/could-you-use-3000-enter-hgtv-frontdoors-%e2%80%9cdesigned-to-sell%e2%80%9d-sell-it-fast-sweepstakes/feed/ 0 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/07/dont-let-the-housing-market-scare-you-avoid-the-top-10-real-estate-nightmares/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/07/dont-let-the-housing-market-scare-you-avoid-the-top-10-real-estate-nightmares/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:41:30 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1755 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Don’t let the housing market scare you! Avoid the Top 10 Real Estate Nightmares", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/07/dont-let-the-housing-market-scare-you-avoid-the-top-10-real-estate-nightmares/" }); ]]> The housing market can be very scary. Just ask any homebuyer or seller — a seemingly normal situation can easily turn into a nightmare.

In this month’s Top 10, read 10 hair-raising real estate horror stories, from showings gone awry to frightening HOAs to houses plagued with unwelcome guests and ghastly pasts.

Plus, get tips on how to avoid these nightmares and ensure your homebuying or selling experience is drama free.

Happy Halloween!

HGTV FrontDoor’s
Top 10 Real Estate Nightmares:
www.frontdoor.com/Buy/Top-10-Real-Estate-Nightmares/55296/p10

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/10/07/dont-let-the-housing-market-scare-you-avoid-the-top-10-real-estate-nightmares/feed/ 0 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/09/29/win-3000-in-frontdoorcoms-designed-to-sell-sell-it-fast-sweepstakes/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/09/29/win-3000-in-frontdoorcoms-designed-to-sell-sell-it-fast-sweepstakes/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:09:21 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1696 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Win $3,000 in FrontDoor.com’s “Designed to Sell” Sell-It-Fast Sweepstakes!", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/09/29/win-3000-in-frontdoorcoms-designed-to-sell-sell-it-fast-sweepstakes/" }); ]]> FrontDoor.com is giving away $3,000 to one lucky winner in our “Designed to Sell” Sell-It-Fast Sweepstakes. You can enter once each day through October 27, so what are you waiting for?

Enter now at
www.frontdoor.com/Sell/Designed-to-Sell-Sell-It-Fast-Sweepstakes-Entry/55243

And if you’re selling a home, be sure to check out our valuable tips and advice so you can get your home ready for buyers and make it stand out from the competition.

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/09/29/win-3000-in-frontdoorcoms-designed-to-sell-sell-it-fast-sweepstakes/feed/ 1 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/09/02/avoid-the-top-10-home-selling-mistakes-that-can-cost-you/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/09/02/avoid-the-top-10-home-selling-mistakes-that-can-cost-you/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:46:32 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1627 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Avoid the Top 10 home selling mistakes that can cost you", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/09/02/avoid-the-top-10-home-selling-mistakes-that-can-cost-you/" }); ]]> Happy September, FrontDoor friends!

The kids are back in school and the fall home selling season is underway. We’ve heard a lot of positive reports about home sales this summer, which shows that buyers are out there — and they’re hungry for deals.

The key to tapping this eager market is to prepare and price your home right before putting it on the market.

This month’s Top 10 is designed to help all you homeowners avoid the Top 10 Home Selling Mistakes That Can Cost You.

If you’re selling in this market, chances are, you’re motivated by something other than profit. But that doesn’t mean you should waste your time and money! Avoid the common mistakes sellers make and get your home sold and for top dollar (at least for this market).

Start with mistake #10: Waiting until spring to sell
http://www.frontdoor.com/Sell/Top-10-Home-Selling-Mistakes/55225/p10

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/09/02/avoid-the-top-10-home-selling-mistakes-that-can-cost-you/feed/ 2 http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/08/06/extra-extra-frontdoorcom-is-coming-to-a-town-near-you/ http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/08/06/extra-extra-frontdoorcom-is-coming-to-a-town-near-you/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:19:15 +0000 Annalisa Burgos http://blog.frontdoor.com/?p=1521 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Extra, Extra: FrontDoor is coming to a town near you!", url: "http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/08/06/extra-extra-frontdoorcom-is-coming-to-a-town-near-you/" }); ]]> Our FrontDoor family is growing! Now readers of some of the biggest newspapers in the country — the Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Denver Post and more — will get FrontDoor’s valuable expert tips, advice and videos and browse our 4 million listings.

FrontDoor.com is partnering with 250 newspapers across the country to enhance their Web sites, allowing homebuyers and sellers to browse local listings and real estate content.

In fact, the San Francisco Chronicle’s SFGate.com just launched this enhanced content, while the FrontDoor team attends Inman News‘ Real Estate Connect conference in San Francisco this week. We hope all you Bay Area folks enjoy it!

Partners include Cox Newspapers, Freedom Newspapers, Journal Register Co. and Southern Newspaper Group.

If you recall, we announced a similar partnership with local television stations to enhance their Web content.

So look out for FrontDoor in a local newspaper near you!

ShareThis

]]> http://blog.frontdoor.com/blog/2009/08/06/extra-extra-frontdoorcom-is-coming-to-a-town-near-you/feed/ 0