To sell your home, you'll first need to start looking at your home as an investment that you now wish to sell. The condition and appearance of your property plays a bigger role in the market today than it ever has in the past. The home buyers of today seem less interested in purchasing a home in need of repairs than they have in the past, and if they do buy, they expect the needed repairs to be reflected in the price. Only as little as ten years ago, selling a "fixer-upper" was a common occurrence, but in today's market, buyer's seem to have too little time and not enough interest to devote the energy needed to repair a home. Listings that sell fast and at a premium price are usually ready to live in, with only minimal repairs or fixes needed.

You shouldn't need to spend your entire bank account in order to get the home ready for sale, as most improvements can be corrected at a low cost. Make sure to consult your agent as to which repairs will highlight the beauty of your home, and as to which will increase the value of the home. ( Be sure to read the article "Getting your home ready to sell")

Remember, a good real estate agent should be capable of handling all your concerns. Agents can recommend handymen, decorators, cleaning services, or simply inform you of what you need to do in order to present your home in the best possible fashion.

Deciding on a reasonable and competitive listing price for your home can be difficult. Be sure to work directly with your agent on this, as the wealth of information they have access to can only ensure that you have a properly priced and marketed home that attracts serious buyers. The selling price of your home should be based upon many factors, which include:

• The demand in the local market for a home like yours.
• How many homes like yours exist in the local market?
• The condition of your home when compared to the competition

Putting an unrealistic price on your home can send the wrong message to agents and their prospective buyers. They may receive the impression that you are a difficult seller, or one who may not truly wish to sell the home. Buyers tend to be extremely busy, and looking for a home to purchase can be incredibly time consuming, so most will decide that they do not have the time deal with an unrealistic seller. (Further information on receiving and not receiving offers can be found in our article, "Receiving and Accepting Offers")

Most home buyers won't consider buying a home without having it inspected by qualified professionals. Sellers should order an inspection report when they list the home. Keeping your property well maintained is a necessary if your intention is to protect and mature your investment. It's easier to prepare your home for listing when you've kept up on all the routine maintenance.

Buyers generally want to purchase homes that they can move into without having to make a lot of repairs. A home in good condition tends to sell quicker than a home in need of repairs, and a quick sale tends to be sold for near the list price. Contracts will usually include an inspection contingency to protect the buyers. Defects can be discovered during inspections that neither the buyers nor sellers were previously aware of. The most common reason that a purchase contract falls apart is because of needed repairs that are found during the buyer's inspections. (For more information on home inspections, read our article, "Inspections and Repairs")

Open houses are a key component to the real estate business. Commonly, there are two kinds of open houses, a viewing for agents, and a viewing for the public.

Holding an open house for the local agents can strongly increase the chance of sale. Most serious buyers tend to work closely with their agent when searching for a home, and by allowing the agents to view the property first hand can increase the number of serious buyers that look into purchasing your home.

Public open houses can play out a different scenario altogether. Not everyone who walks through will be a serious buyer, and of those in attendance, most will just be curious. The people who visit open houses usually don't have much information about the house when they visit and they may need a house that is of a different size, or price range. (See our article "Showcasing your Home" and "Properly Showing your Home".)

There are certain fees connected to the buying and selling of a home, which are known as closing costs. Both sellers and buyers will be responsible for some closing costs. Who pays what and how much the fees are vary from state to state. In some states, the buyer will pay for title insurance, while in other states the title insurance will be paid for by the seller. In some cases, the fees and who pays them can vary from region to region within a state.

Your agent should be able to tell you which costs you are and are not responsible for in your state/region, but in most places, buyers' might be responsible for:

• various inspection fees
• homeowner's insurance
• any possible transfer taxes
• title insurance
• escrow fees

• escrow fees
• estate commission
• loan payoff
• title insurance
• termite repairs
• transfer taxes

If there are any liens or assessment against you or your property, they will have to be paid off before the closing can be completed.

Be aware that selling your home can also affect your state and federal tax returns. To ensure that you become fully aware of which factors can affect your taxes, obtain the services a professional tax consultant.

On the day that the "closing" process takes place, certain activities should occur. These activities will be:

• Signing of the deed and mortgage.
• Payment of closing costs and fees. Which can include:
  • Attorney fees. (if an attorney was involved)
  • Prorated taxes. (County and State taxes, school taxes, etc.)
  • County document recording fees.
  • Prorated water and sewage bills.
• Turning the house keys over to the new owner.

Once you get to the point that you have relinquished ownership of the house keys to the buyer, you are done. The buyer is now the owner, and everything has been signed and finalized. Congratulations, you've sold your home!