Don’t Get Emotional

Think it's impossible? It's not. Once you decide to sell your home, start thinking of yourself as a businessperson and salesperson rather than just the homeowner. Forget that you're the homeowner altogether. By looking at the transaction from a purely financial perspective, you'll distance yourself from the emotional aspects of selling the property.

Setting a Realistic Price

Setting the right asking price is key, whether you're working with an agent or going it alone. Remember the comparable market analysis you or your agent did when you bought your home to determine a fair offering price? Buyers will do this for your home, too, so as a seller, you should be one step ahead of them. You may think your home is worth more, but remember to set a realistic price based on comparable homes in the area. Absent a housing bubble, overpriced homes generally don't sell.

Preparing Your Home

Sellers who do not clean and stage their homes throw money down the drain. Don't worry if you can't afford to hire a professional. There are many things you can do on your own. Failing to do these things will reduce your sale price and may also prevent you from getting a sale. For example, if you haven't attended to minor issues like a broken doorknob, a potential buyer may wonder whether the house has larger, costlier issues that still need to be addressed. Have a friend or agent with fresh eyes point out areas of your home that need work. Because of your familiarity with the home, you may be immune to its trouble spots. Decluttering, cleaning thoroughly, putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and getting rid of any odors will also help you make a good impression on buyers.

Selling Inspections

Any problem will be uncovered during the buyer's inspection. You can fix the problem beforehand or price the property below market value to account for it. Alternatively, you can list the property at a normal price and offer the buyer a credit to fix the problem. Remember: If you don't fix the problem in advance, you may eliminate many buyers who want a turnkey home. Having your home inspected before listing is a good idea to avoid costly surprises once the home is under contract.