It's no secret. The forecast for home sales across the country is bleak.
The National Association of Realtors says sales of existing homes will hit a five-year low this year and that the outlook for 2008 is growing worse.

So what should local sellers do as home sales slow?

The days of just setting out the sign and getting sold are likely gone. As one local realtor says, it's not simple anymore to sell your house.

For Sale signs are sitting in front of houses longer and sellers are stuck lowering prices or making improvements.

Dawn Beebe is selling her house in Washington and said, "Just driving home from work, I see so many for sale signs and my house has been on the market for nearly 6 months now. So, it's very scary."

Beebe is doing what realtors say is a near necessity now in the housing market transforming your home to get your price to sell.

Realtor Christine Schauble said, "You're going to have to update that house because buyers are going to use that to negotiate the price down."

As a stager, Brenda Bonello's job is get houses to shine. She said, "We are seeing a bigger inventory. So, you do want to be the shiniest apple in the bowl."

Tonight at ten, Bonello takes us through Dawn Beebe's house to show us what needs to be done.

"You are competing against those homes that have updated and have that fresh look."

Some steps for sellers are as simple as little elbow-greese and others come with a heavy cost and consideration.

"Houses are still selling. The sky is not falling."

Tonight at ten, more specifics on what any seller can do to see a sold sign sitting in their front yard.