When it's time to sell your home, calling a Realtor is likely your first step. That's a great start, but there are additional early steps you can take to make your home sale go smoothly, profitably, and easier for you.  

Help your agent

If you've chosen the right listing agent, your communications will go easily. I've found that whenever you've made anyone's job easier, you've made a friend. By getting the right facts to your Realtor, you'll make sure your listing is accurate, and at the same time, free her up to do what she does best. 

Photos that indicate how rooms are laid out
help potential buyers visualize a floor plan.
Photo: Stefano Ukmar for The New York Times

Your Realtor should know the age, neighborhood, lot size, and square footage of your home. You can add to her evaluation of your property if you provide current info on taxes, utilities, insurance premiums, and any HOA dues. Inform her of local ordinances and amenities, like regular recycling programs and rules governing landscaping, or the number of vehicles allowed on the property. 

Selling a condo or apartment in a complex 
calls for flattering photos of the property.  

Tell her about commute times and local parks or walking trails. Tell her what you love about the floorplan of your home, the views, the access to amenities, high-speed internet, and any upgrades or high-end appliances that convey. Tell her about the features that buyers might not notice, like an energy-efficient HVAC, smart thermostat, extra insulation, or replacement windows that will reduce their energy bill.

Call in experts

A home on the market needs to be spotless. A home that's ultraclean and priced right will sell! Deep clean everything. Consider hiring a professional team to tackle it efficiently, quickly, and thoroughly. If you do the deep clean yourself, focus on the kitchen, bathrooms, and windows. 

Your kitchen can be a deal-maker
or a deal-breaker. The cleaner it is,
the more lovable it will be to buyers.

A home inspector is on your team, too. I always recommend paying for an inspection before listing. It's the one way to avoid surprises when the buyers hire their own inspector. 

Now's the time to fix tiny problems like leaky faucets, loose doorknobs, and scuffed paint. These details make a good impression. To tackle bigger issues, make a list of things like a deck or driveway that needs pressure washing, a toilet that needs replacing, or electrical work that's not to code. Then, hire the plumber or a handyman, and an electrician to make sure you will pass that inspection. 

 
Older buildings can be retrofitted
with more energy-efficient
windows that still look appropriate. 

Get photogenic

A real estate photographer is another part of your sales team. If your Realtor doesn't pay for this service, it will be worth it to foot the bill yourself! 

Be ready when the photographer arrives. The profile shot that headlines your listing will entice buyers,  or not. So, prioritize your home's exterior. Mow the grass, trim shrubbery, mulch flower beds. A welcoming exterior sets the tone before buyers even walk in, so add a fresh doormat and something bright like a plant in a colorful pot.

I love the look of this front entrance.
Its doorway seems to beckon at the end 
of a stone pathway bordered by shrubs.

Remove clutter from outside, and repair what looks old. How old is your roof? A roof that looks old ages your home. Make the details of your roof part of your documents -- the style, material, quality, and any assets like fireproofing, impact resistance, energy efficiency, and longevity. 

Of course, you will stage your home, even if it is just rearranging furniture to make rooms look larger and still cozy. Don't count on your listing agent or the photographer to move things around to tweak your staging. Be prepared, and then get out of your photographer's way. 

If your neighborhood or your lot adds
value, let buyers know it by using 
drone photography in your listing. 

Check your attitude

Don't be the problem-seller that Realtors dread. Make it easy for your property to be shown. Try to say “yes” to last-minute visits because buyers often choose homes they can see right away. Then, leave when there's a showing. Buyers feel more comfortable exploring if the owner isn’t there. And a Realtor can better highlight features and answer questions freely.

Be flexible with your pricing. Depending on your market, you may get offers above asking, but you may have to offer discounts in a cooler real estate market. Don't base your price on what you need, but on what it's realistically worth now. 

Take advantage of what's special about your
location and its unique style, the way this 
bedroom's staging reflects a tropical vibe.   

Get the look, get the book 

I know what you are thinking: that I am asking you to hire helpers and spend money on too many people just to get your house ready for market. But if you get advice and labor from the right professionals, you'll avoid costly mistakes and have a better chance to maximize your biggest investment -- your home. 

For more tips on how to sell your home, don't leave without downloading my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar.