Nothing says overwhelming as putting your home on the market. You don’t just put a for sale sign in your yard and all of a sudden you have hundreds of buyers knocking down your door. It requires planning, knowing what potential buyers are looking for and how to get your property effectively in from of as many buyers as possible.

The first step is to prepare your home. You want to make a good first impression. It is important that the buyer can visualize themselves living in a beautiful well cared for home.

Start by packing up things up and decluttering every room. Keeping rooms minimal with furniture, clutter-free and keeping the décor non personal and neutral.

You can store packed boxes and extra furniture in the garage or opt to store at a storage facility to keep the home clutter free. A well-organized house can appear larger and more attractive.

Buyers also see a clean, issue free home as a home that has been well-cared for and feel confident in purchasing. Detail clean your home. Clean every inch including windows inside and out, appliances, carpet clean the carpet. Everything should look show home ready.

Next, go around and touch up your home and make sure everything is working. If there is a burnt out light bulb, replace it. If there is a broken molding, fix it. If there is a broken light fixture, replace it.

You might also want to consider investing in minor upgrades. You don’t have to renovate a whole kitchen or Bathroom and spend thousands of dollars. But minor upgrades can make a huge difference. There are many cost effective ways to boost your homes appeal. A fresh coat of paint, new light fixtures or update your hardware can add significant value to your home.

Another great way to make a great first impression is adding some curb appeal.  When potential buyers drive by or view the online photos, the exterior of your home is the first thing they see. Make sure the home looks inviting with a well-manicured lawn, clean windows, clutter-free yard, updated exterior lighting and some eye popping flowers to entice your buyers.

 The secret to selling quickly and for top dollar is pricing your home accurately right from the start. Some sellers think that they will price high and if there is no interest then will reduce the price. Over pricing can deter potential buyers. If the house is on the market for a long time with price reductions, the first thought buyers have is “What is wrong with the house?” “Why is no one buying it?” “What is the reason they keep reducing the price?” On the other hand there might be opportunists to try and get a good deal and lowball an offer, thinking you might be desperate.  And you defiantly don’t want to have a low listing price. You will get a fast sale but you will be losing money.

Have an experienced Realtor conduct a thorough market evaluation to determine a fair and competitive price for your home.

Also consider the timing of your sale to yield the most money. Believe it or not, putting your home on the market during the spring and summer instead of the winter will significantly impact the price you get, due to the increased buyer activity and increased housing demand.

When it comes time to market your home you want to show off your wonderful home that you spend so much time preparing and fixing. Today’s buyer are doing the majority of their home shopping online. So, choose a Realtor who can professionally market your home and has a great knowledge in online marketing.

You want high quality photos for both on-line and print media, a compelling property description, where you can highlight your home’s unique features, and a great property video tour. You want to also leverage social media platforms and online real estate portals to reach as many buyers as possible.

Another great way to help sell your home fast and for top dollar is to get a pre -listing inspection. This not only gives you and the buyer peace of mind but it also reduces unpleasant surprises during the negotiation process. It can also allow you to address potential issues before hand, giving re-assurance to the buyers and allowing you to justify your price.

Now that you have done all this prep work you want to maintain your show home standards. Your home should remain clutter-free and clean as your photos and your marketing show. You don’t want buyers thinking they are not in the same house as the photos and video they seen.

Finally, as important for your home to look it’s best, it is equally important to follow up and have good communication with your buyers. Make sure you and your agent are readily available for inquiries, viewings, and follow-up discussions. Great communication will leave a positive impression with the buyers and buyer agents.