Do your homework.
Read a couple of books on home selling, go through the real estate section of the local newspaper and attend some Open Houses in the your area.

Hire a specialist.
As a neighborhood realtor that specializes in listing in your area, I know what it takes to sell in this market. I welcome your call!

Set the price.
Ask your realtor for an analysis of the local market and an opinion of the best price range for your home.

Set a marketing strategy.
Have your realtor discuss a marketing plan and include the main elements in the listing presentation.

Get the house ready.
With your realtor, take a hard, objective look at your home. Prioritize what needs to be done, and decide how much you can spend in time and money to make it look its best before opening it up to buyers. Get rid of all clutter and put some of your stuff in storage to make the rooms and closets roomier. Put together an information packet on local amenities, your utility bills and other helpful information.

Keep on top of the process.
Stash some quick clean-up supplies close at hand, and do a fast run-through before letting a prospective buyer preview your home.

Sadly, many sellers just don't do their homework. If you're like most people, your home is your most valuable investment. When you sell it, you'll want to pocket the biggest possible net gain or profit. But, when you sell your home, you need to understand the competition. There are other home sellers in your area, and just like in any other competition, mistakes can be costly. Here are some common home seller slip-ups we can help you avoid:

Overpricing or under-pricing.
By setting the price too high, you turn away the best prospects for your home. By asking too little, you'll probably sell faster but net less from the sale. We can do a comparative market analysis and help you set the best price for your home.

Selling "As Is."
In the competitive home sale marketplace, you need to show your house at its best. Your home should be in "move-in" condition from the first day it's listed. We can point out your home's chief assets and suggest how to highlight them, as well as help you identify which items need improving.

Over-improving.
While clearing out clutter, cleaning and repairs are important ways to get your home ready for sale, undertaking a major project could cost more money than you would recover from the sale. However, some major repairs, like replacing a roof, should be done if they are needed.

Selling it yourself.
Although doing your own marketing looks tempting as a way to save money, surveys show self-sellers often net less from the sale than sellers who use a real estate agent. And self-sellers find that agents do a lot more than most people think - from bringing qualified buyers to keeping things on track to settlement.

Failing to offer financial incentives.
Special options can attract buyers without costing a lot. Often, incentives like a home warranty or paying points or some closing costs can be figured in when setting the price of the home.

Ignoring your agent's advice.
As experienced professionals, we know what works and what doesn't. Let's discuss any advice you are uncomfortable with or disagree with, and together find the best way to sell your home.

Time
To get your home sold, you would have to advertise and then baby sit the phone, waiting for responses to your ad. We have an office staff to handle this and to sort out serious callers from others. We can also pre-qualify prospective buyers and make arrangements to show the house.

Money
You're likely to attract bargain-hunting buyers who seek out for-sale-by-owner homes, expecting to get a lower purchase price because of the saved sales commission. We will advise you how to price the house to sell fast for the best price.

Access
Self-selling limits exposure to prospects who see the yard sign, if one is used, or newspaper ads. We bring with us a network of contacts and a computerized listing service that puts every agent in town to work selling your house.

Peace of mind
When selling by owner, the homeowner is responsible for negotiating a legal contract and seeing that every detail of the contract is carried out. We can screen out unqualified prospects, help arrange financing, and shepherd the sale to settlement.

You need more than clever gimmicks to sell a home these days so, many savvy home sellers offer home warranties. Buyers love them because warranties pay for certain home repairs for a year after the sale. Many sellers love them, too, for several reasons:

1) Warranties help get the home sold

2) Sellers are also covered for many of the items up until closing at no additional cost.

3) Peace of mind.

Typically, home warranties cover the repair or replacement of a home's heating, plumbing, and electrical systems and major built-in appliances. The cost often runs $395-$550, typically with a small deductible for each repair or replacement.