1. Prepare Yourself to Sell Your Home - Do your best to assess your property differently, no longer as your home, but as a marketable product. This will take some effort, especially if you have lived in your home for a number of years and have many memories, but it is necessary for maximizing your potential.
2. Prepare Your House - Consider working with a professional home stager. Friends and neighbors can also provide useful feedback in the preparation process. Overlooking flaws now could be costly later, so repair them before putting your house on the market.
3. Do What is Necessary to Make Your House Stand Out From the Competition - Make sure that your house is fresh, clean, and well maintained, both on the exterior and in the interior.
4. Remove Some of Your "Imprint" on the House - For instance, displaying a few family photographs is fine, but remember that buyers must be able to envision themselves living there. This can be difficult if too many personal items are displayed.
5. Consider a Professional House Inspection - An inspector will probably discover any major defects before they create problems with potential buyers. Performing an inspection will also signal buyers that you are responsible and ready to sell your house.