Want to get the best price possible for your home? Want to sell it fast? Following these steps will help.

1.  Choose the right real estate agent.
Licensed real estate agents have the training and marketing skills to accurately price your home and attract qualified buyers. Look for an agent who specializes in your area and your type of property. Questions you might ask an agent include:
	What homes have you sold in my area in the last 6 months?
	What things will you do to help me determine the right sales price for my home? (The answer should include a Comparative Market Analysis.)
	How quickly can I expect to sell my home in the current market?
	What will your marketing plan for my home include? What specific things will you do and when?
	How often will you stay in touch with me and how can I reach you?

2.  Price your home effectively. Some sellers price a home high to make it easier to drop the price during negotiations, but this strategy can backfire. Buyers comparison shop and know when a home is fairly priced. If yours isn't, they may not even make an offer. Here are a few general rules of pricing:
	If you don't need to sell quickly, price your home a little on the high side and see if you can fetch top dollar.
	If you need to sell fast, price your home competitively.
	Remember home sales tend to be seasonal. If you're selling in spring or summer, more buyers will be looking. If you're trying to sell in fall, it's usually a tougher market with fewer buyers. You may have to ask a lower price.
	Houses sell differently depending on whether it's a buyer's or seller's market. If there's high demand for houses, you can get top dollar. If the market is slow, you'll have to be very competitive with your price.

3.  Spruce up your home. There many ways you can make your home more appealing without investing a lot of time or money.
	Increase curb appeal. Keep shrubs trimmed and your lawn mowed. Add new mulch to plant beds. If your house needs a paint job and you can afford it, do it. Fresh paint is one of the most effective improvements you can make to speed up a sale. Otherwise, try cleaning your home's exterior and repainting the trim. Add inexpensive annual flowers in strategic places for color. Make sure the front door is clean, freshly painted and oiled.
	Tidy up. Neatness really counts. Don't let clutter distract buyers from your home's high points. Put tools and gardening equipment away. Coil hoses. Polish door knobs. Do a thorough spring cleaning. Pack away bric-a-brac. And keep your house ready for showing. Your agent can need to show a buyer your home at any time.
	Make your kitchen and baths appealing. Buyers react most strongly to kitchens, closets and bathrooms. Concentrate your efforts in these areas. Keep them clean and tidy. Repaint if they need it. If the caulk around sinks and baths is old and cracking, considering recaulking. It can make a dramatic difference.
	Have an action plan for showings. Keep a plastic basket full of your favorite cleaning products, plus a hand vacuum, sponge and paper towels, for quick cleanups. If your house is a complete disaster that day, warn your agent and suggest another day.
	Go all out for open houses. You've heard the old adage about baking cookies. Do it. Some people swear by ready-to-bake cinnamon rolls. Consider putting out vases of flowers. If it's a cold day, light a fire in the fireplace. Make your home look bright and cheerful by having all the lights on. Then disappear. This is your agent's time to sell. Your presence could distract potential buyers.

4. Selling to buy another home?
Pre-Approval: By being pre-approved for a loan, you look like a much better bet for completing the deal than someone who hasn't even talked to a lender yet.
*Pre-approval subject to satisfactory appraisal and title review and no change in financial condition.

5. Select the best offer. In a hot market, you could get multiple offers. Look them over carefully. Some may be contingent on meeting certain conditions. Look for the offer that:
	Gives you the best price
	Has the fewest number of hurdles
	Is made by the best qualified buyer

6. Got a buyer? Make sure you get a good appraisal. A good appraisal is important in making sure the deal will go through. Here's what you can do to help ensure you get a fair appraisal:
	First impressions count While appraisers are more interested in your home's physical condition, a neat and tidy home and lot gives the impression the home has been well-maintained.
	Be there for the appraisal Accompany the appraiser on the tour of your house and point out major improvements you've made to the home. If you can't be there, be sure to have your agent give the appraiser a list of key improvements and features of your home.

7.Keep the deal going smoothly.
When negotiating any point of the sale, don't leave anything to a verbal agreement. While it's customary for fixtures (anything fixed to the walls or property, such as light fixtures, built-ins and window coverings) to be included in the sale, put it in writing. Appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers can be negotiable. Try to negotiate in good faith and strike a fair compromise.