Tips in buying/selling a house in Bangalore

Be careful with promises: Don’t overcommit yourself. There are some things that you can take care of for the buyer, but others that you cannot. Be able to negotiate.

Set a fair price: Be realistic about your asking price — know what other comparable homes have sold for in your area. Factor in the location, age of the house, economic conditions and improvements you’ve made. Also, if you post your listing on the Internet, post below the closest round number.

Check out a real estate agent: If you opt for an agent, first make sure you are working with a seller’s agent. Check his or her background and make sure he or she is familiar with your neighborhood. Find out how many homes he or she has sold in your area. Find out where your home will be listed and commit to no more than three months. If the agent's doing a good job for you and you're happy with how things are going, commit to three more months.

Make a wish list: Whether you are going to open houses on your own or using a real estate broker, make up a list of what you would most like in a new home and prioritize it so you can determine what is most important and which items you are comfortable sacrificing.