Hire a reputable Real Estate Broker. A professional who is willing to go the extra mile to ensure your transactions goes as smooth and stress free as possible.

Clean out the clutter. Open spaces look the best. Deep clean to make a good first impression. Consider putting some items in storage until the home is sold. Also, consider the use of a professional stager who will arrange your home to look its best.

Consider putting small investments to improve the appearance of your home. Mostly look at cosmetic areas, but do not overspend costs you will not recoup with the sale. Simple and less expensive improvements are best, unless there are specific areas of the house that need to be addressed.

Determine the worth of your home. You can examine recent sold properties and under contracts in your neighborhood to gain an understanding of the market. Also, you may want to consider hiring an appraiser so you have the most accurate worth.

Price the home right. An overpriced home can sit on the market for months. Work closely with your Broker to determine the price to list your home at.

Come up with a plan. Are you eager to move? How long are you willing to let the house sit on the market? How low are you willing to go if the house does not sell. Have a realistic approach to how long this process could take.

Get pre-approved for your next mortgage. If you are planning on buying another home, make sure you are aware of your financial situation.

Figure out your selling costs. Broker commissions, attorney fees, tax and prorated costs may all come into play. Your Broker should be able to help you come up with a close estimate of seller closing costs.

Set the stage for your home sale. Clean the windows, open the curtains, turn on the lights, display fresh flowers, mow the lawn, clean the bathrooms and vacuum the carpets. You want the home to be as clean and inviting as possible. A bright house is a welcoming house.

It’s show time. Be ready and willing to have your home shown any day, even with short notice. Make sure all expensive items and valuables are locked up and out of sight.

Stay in contact with your Broker to communicate any changes with the condition of the home or your desire to sell.