While the Salt Lake City area has not been hit as hard as the rest of the nation in the real estate downturn of the past few years, prices have still come down significantly on homes throughout the area. And with mortgage interest rates low and a high supply of homes on the market, now is a great time to be looking for a home.

You can start by browsing listings online, either through your real estate agent’s website or through an outside search provider. You can sign up to have listings that match your criteria emailed to you. Another good place to look is on sites geared specifically toward foreclosures. A home that has been foreclosed on usually means a lower price tag for the consumer. Look out, though, for damaged property and for outstanding liens that you may be responsible for paying.

A short sale is another good option if you’re looking for a good deal. A short sale means the home is listed for an amount less than what the homeowner owes the bank. It is a step banks and sellers agree to if they’re hoping to avoid foreclosure, as most parties want to do. One drawback with short sales, however, is that they are never quick. Your offer will go to the bank that issued the loan on the house, and banks often take a long time to consider the offers and get back with a yes or no.

Remember that with the Salt Lake area’s public transportation system, buying in the suburbs can be a great option, even for those working in the city.

When listing your home for sale its important to make your home out shine its competitors. Its important to both properly prepare your home for sale as well as properly list your home for sale. To assist you, here is a short list of what not to do when listing your property.

1. Do not list your property asking price as non-negotiable. Doing so will prevent countless potential buyers from viewing your property. Although you would prefer to receive exactly what you are asking for, within the current economic environment this is not always an option.

2. Don’t start a major home renovation after you list your home for sale. Buyers will consider your home based on its current condition and not what it is expected to look like after the project has been completed.

3. Don’t list your home as needing updates or needs work. Potential homebuyers are not going to want to waste their time looking a house that they may have to put substantial money into after the purchase.

4. Don’t leave your home full of clutter when you are listing your home for sale. A home that is dirty will be conceived as one that does not receive proper maintenance and is not well maintained.

5. Don’t list any upgrades or conveniences that you have for your furry friends. As much as you love your pet, some buyers are not fond of them and associate a home with pets as one that is full of smells and stains.