Selling your home can be just as stressful and aggravating as it is rewarding. To ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, you should have every step planned out and organized to keep the surprises and unexpected delays to a minimum. Developing a strong, intimate working relationship with your agent cannot be stressed enough, and keeping on top of what will happen next can be time consuming, but it should sell your home faster.

A seller who is aware of their responsibilities can easily stay on top of all developments.

Before you decide to sell your home

• Keep a calendar of all the steps needed to sell your home. Having a timeline of what needs to be done and when certain things will be happening will keep you well prepared.
• Before you decide to sell, have your home inspected and appraised to eliminate any possible issues that could delay the sale of your home. It would be better to find out that you need to replace the roof before the home is listed rather than after. Plan out when you intend to have improvements or repairs made to the property on the calendar.
• If you don't already have a professional real estate agent, consult multiple agents and decide which agent has the best marketing plan that will suit both your needs as a seller and the needs of potential buyers.

Pricing your Home

• Work with your agent on selecting a competitive listing price. Agents have resources available to them that can turn home pricing into a science. With their years of experience in the local market, they can provide a wealth of insight on your home and it's standing within the local market.
• Do not let your emotions and ego affect the pricing of your home. Avoid overpricing your home. I can not stress this enough, DO NOT overprice your home.

Inspections, the open house, and showcasing your home.

• When you have your home inspected, try to obtain the services of an inspector who specializes in pre-sale home inspections. You may find that an inspector who also handles repairs and remodeling, may find himself crossing the "conflict of interest" line.
• Some people have difficulty imagining open space. If your home if clutter, consider putting extra furniture into storage. Try not to have all of your closet and storage space jammed full. Buyers will need to see that your home provides an acceptable amount of storage space as well as living space, and a cluttered home does not reflect either of those.
• If at all possible, do not attend your open house. Allow your agent to handle this for you. Buyers tend to be either too uncomfortable, or too polite to pick your house apart if you are standing there.

Accepting Offers and Closing the Sale

• Be sure to have all paper work prepared.
• Ask your agent in advance of which closing costs you will be responsible for.
• Remember that the laws and regulations surrounding the closing can differ from state to state and from region to region. Consult your agent as to what your end responsibilities will be.