You’re ready to sell your home, or so you think.  You are considering, though, what steps you might take to make sure your home stands out from the rest.  There are several things you’ll want to be well-versed in before your home will be ready for sale.  If you understand that going in, this will enable you to get the biggest bang out of the sale of your home.

With the condition of the current economy, a homeowner wanting to sell should follow these steps in preparing to sell their home for the highest dollar possible:

Consider the time of year.  You probably shouldn’t list your home in the middle of winter in the height of snowfall season for your geographic area.  The most ideal time of year is to list your home at the first blush of spring, typically in March or April, depending on your geographic area.

• Prepare for the listing.  Before you even consider listing your home on the market, you’ll need to do a thorough assessment of any and everything that needs to be repaired, painted or plastered in your home.
• List repairs, updates and changes.  You need to take a good look at your home and the property on which is resides.  There will be repairs, updates and changes you’ll need to make that you may not even have noticed the entire time you were living in the property. They may be minimal to you, but could cost you the sale of your home from the perspective of a potential buyer.  Get a second set of eyes.  Schedule a date to walk through your home from end-to-end.  With tablet in hand, note every ding, mark or repair that needs to be done.  Also, note outdated or damaged carpet, paint and paneling.  Walk through the exterior of your home and property, too.  Organize everything by room or location – e.g., bathroom, south side of yard needs grass seed.  Make sure to consider the condition of your yard, driveway and fence.
• Do repairs, updates and changes.  Buy the paint or other supplies and tools you’ll need to fix up your home.  Go over your list.  Use neutral colored paint, de-clutter the entire home and replace lighting with the brightest bulbs allowed for safety.  Get rid of all odors and keep air freshener around.  Add a couple of large planters at the entrance to your home.  Your goal is to eliminate anything that would be considered as a negative by a potential buyer.
• Curb appeal is critical.  Your yard is the first thing that people see when they drive up to your home.  Make sure you keep it clear of debris and mowed.  It also couldn’t hurt to plant a few strategic plants.  If you’re not a green thumb, then just keep the yard green and mowed.
• Select a realtor.  It will be of great benefit to you to enlist the assistance of a licensed real estate agent.  Realtors have access to services that you don’t, and can make sure that your home gets the exposure in MLS (multiple listing service) that you can’t.  Contact several different real estate agencies.  Ask for their top sellers, make appointments for interviews, complete the interviews and select a realtor.  This is a critical step as the real estate agent you select can make or break the sale of your home.  A good realtor will set you up for success in the sale of your home.
• Sign the Seller’s Agreement.  Initially, you will be presented with a seller’s agreement.  Keep in mind that this will be the first of many contracts you will sign in the home selling process.  The agreements you sign contractually bind you to fulfill the obligations you are committing to.  So, make sure you know what you are signing before putting your signature on the dotted line.  Make sure the Seller’s Agreement is filled out, has your agent’s signature, and then sign it.  This agreement gives your agent the ability to work for you, list your home in MLS and find a buyer for your home.  Don’t commit to more than 90 days with your real estate agent.  You can always extend it if your home doesn’t sell within that timeframe.
• Pricing your home.  Your agent will do a comparative market analysis (CMA) to see what your home is worth in the market.  You’ll be presented with prices of homes that sold in your area that are comparable to yours.  Your realtor will give an opinion as to what your home should sell at based on the median prices of the sold homes and other considerations.  You want to price your home to sell.  In today’s market, that may mean reducing the sale price a couple of thousand under what it is worth.  Just weigh the decision as it could determine how long your house stays on the market.  Some other considerations may be to include a home warranty or offer to pay some of the closing costs to entice an offer.  For more high-end homes, some sellers have even included a luxury car in the garage!
• Showing your home.  Your realtor should do an open house or two to generate interest in your house in the neighborhood.  One of the open houses should include one with the agent’s office to receive feedback on price and the condition of the home.  Stay away from open houses and home showings.  You’ll only be in the way and could turn off a potential home buyer.
• You receive your first offer.  This is wonderful.  Your agent calls you and notifies you that you’ve received your first offer.  Even if it’s low-balled, don’t be offended.  You could turn this offer into a decent sale if you play your cards right.  Strategize with your agent about a counter-offer.  Decide on one and submit it to the buyer.
• Buyer accepts offer.  Once a buyer accepts your offer, read through the offer to ensure it includes only what you agreed to.  Sign the final offer with your agent. 
• Inspections and other activity.  The inspections may reveal issues that need to be addressed in your home.  Be prepared with your realtor as to how you will respond to any repairs or issues the inspector may find.  If none are found, the selling process continues without objection.
• Closing the sale.  At the closing, scrutinize the Settlement Statement carefully.  Make sure that it contains only what you agreed to in your final offer with the buyer.  If it is correct, put your John Hancock where it belongs.
• Congratulations.  You did it.  You sold your home and you’re ready to move on.  Now, celebrate.