Getting Started: Selling a Home

Selling your home is obviously a big decision, probably even more challenging than buying a home. The top things that you can do to ease and expedite the process will of course vary by consumer and property. Once the buyer gets involved it gets even more specialized. It is highly advisable to consult a professional immediately once you have made the decision to sell.

An excellent article by Elizabeth Weintraub walking you though some of the mental and physical preparations is cited from about.com below.

Prepping and staging a house

Every seller wants her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will send home buyers scurrying for their checkbooks. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an irresistible and marketable home:

1. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home
2. De-Personalize. Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms.
3. De-Clutter! People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.
4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets. Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors.
5. Rent a Storage Unit.
6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
7. Make Minor Repairs.
8. Make the House Sparkle!
9. Scrutinize.
10. Check Curb Appeal. If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because she doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get them inside.

Source About.com  - Elizabeth Weintraub, DRE #00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California."