Tip #1. Make sure you are properly financed
This may sound like a buyer tip, but it certainly relates to selling your home. If you plan on both purchasing and selling, make sure you are qualified to purchase a new house before you sign a contract to sell your current one. Many folks rush out to sell their home, only to find out that they cannot afford the home they would like. Are you ready to upgrade? Can you afford the upgrade? How much equity do you have in your current home?

Tip #2. Price your home correctly
The most important factors in pricing your home are location, location, and location. It is important not to get caught up in the "my neighbor sold his house for" game, because your home is not your neighbor's home and it may or may not sell for the same amount as your neighbor's home. This is where an experienced MaxCom Associate can really make a difference. It is their job to advise you on the best price to sell your home for the most money in the quickest amount of time. Without proper guidance, many folks simply overprice their homes and thereby overshoot the market. By the time these sellers reduce the price, they have already lost more money than if it was priced correctly in the first place.

Tip #3: Act like you want to sell
The first encounter is always the most impressive for the buyer and a neglected home always leaves a bad impression. If you want to sell your home, you should invest the care and work to make it presentable to any buyers. Paint and repair the simple things — a leaky faucet, a broken fixture, fresh coats of paint. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms; these rooms often sell the home by themselves. Mow the lawn, clean the gutters, and invest in some light landscaping if you don't already. Curb appeal can make a big difference.

Tip #4: Clean-up and Organize
Clutter, disorganization, and general chaos lends to anxiety in everybody's life, including your potential buyers. Before each showing, get rid of all clutter and mess and put away toys, clothing, or anything else laying on the floor or furniture. Straighten out closets and tidy up the cupboards. Eliminate dust bunnies, vacuum, and sweep the floors. It is also a good idea to get rid of oversized furniture or anything that makes the rooms in your home look smaller than they are. Try rearranging your furniture for the best effect. There are specialists that can redesign your home's interior to help it sell quicker. They are called Staging Professionals and your MaxCom Associate can put you in touch with one.

Tip #5: Eliminate Odors
Odors from pets, smoking, or cooking should certainly be neutralized before any buyers show up. Keep pets in one area of the home while you're selling your house. Don't smoke anywhere in the house as it tends to linger in the air and get into carpeting and drapes. Cooking, especially ethnic foods, has a tendency to linger in the air as well. Burn some candles or experiment with potpourri or air fresheners. Put on a fresh pot of flavored coffee before a showing, like hazelnut or french vanilla. Not only will this neutralize any odors, but also make the home smell warm and inviting — your buyers will also enjoy the cup of joe that you've left out for them!

Tip #6: Stay out of the way
If you've ever been on the buyer end of purchasing a house, then you know that the last person you want to see is the seller hovering over you. Buyers like to have privacy when viewing homes and will feel less nervous about invading your privacy if you are not there. A competent and professional REALTOR® will help ensure that your home is safe during a showing — that's part of the reason you hired one.

Tip #7: Make your home as accessible as possible
If it can be avoided, do not have a restrictive schedule on showing your home. Buyers and their real estate agents like to move quickly and with short notice, especially if there are multiple showings in a day. Your flexibility is important to the number of potential buyers that want to view your home. If you can, be able to leave the home or make the home presentable at a moment's notice, especially on weekends and after business hours.

Tip #8: Disclose as much as possible
As a seller, you have a duty to disclose every defect or problem with your house to any potential buyers. If you have any doubt about a particular defect, it is best to err on the side of disclosing it. Otherwise, a disgruntled buyer may come back long after the transaction is over and you may be party to a lawsuit. Better to get it all out in the open beforehand and a find a buyer who will accept any known defects.

Tip #9: Consider an incentive for buyers
This can be handy especially in a competitive market. You can make your home stand out from the others by offering buyers incentives at closing. For example, you can offer to pay your buyer's closing costs, add a home warranty, or include personal items in the sale such as furniture, appliances, or electronics.

Tip #10: Assemble a good team of professionals
Aside from a competent and professional REALTOR®, you want to find an experienced attorney specializing in real estate law. In addition, if you are also purchasing a home, do your research and find a trustworthy mortgage broker or lender. Building a strong team of real estate professionals that you can rely on will be key to your success and help eliminate much of the stress. Your MaxCom Associate can put you in touch with several good attorneys and mortgage brokers. Don't be afraid to ask!

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