Selling your home make sure it sells

Pricing it right?Find out what your home is worth, then shave 15 to 20 percent off the price. It takes real courage and most sellers just don't want to risk it, but it's the single best strategy to sell a home in today's market.

Half-empty closets? Storage is something every buyer is looking for and can never have enough of. Take half the stuff out of your closets then neatly organize what's left in there.

Light it up? Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer cites that they want in a home. Do what you have to do make your house bright and cheery - it will make it more sellable.

Play the agent field? A secret sale killer is hiring the wrong broker. Make sure you have a broker who is totally informed. Find a broker who embraces technology - a tech-savvy one has many tools to get your house sold.

Conceal the critters? You might think a cuddly dog would warm the hearts of potential buyers, but you'd be wrong. Not everybody is a dog- or cat-lover. Buyers don't want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food, smell the kitty litter box or have tufts of pet hair stuck to their clothes.

Don't over-upgrade? Quick fixes before selling always pay off. You probably won't get your money back if you do a huge improvement project before you put your house on the market.

Take the home out of your house? One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. The more personal stuff in your house, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there.

The kitchen comes first? You're not actually selling your house, you're selling your kitchen - that's how important it is. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you'll probably get 85% of your money back. If you have a little money to spend, buy one fancy stainless steel appliance. Why one? Because when people see one high-end appliance they think all the rest are expensive too and it updates the kitchen.

Always be ready to show? Your house needs to be "show-ready" at all times - you never know when your buyer is going to walk through the door. You have to be available whenever they want to come see the place and it has to be in tip-top shape.

The first impression is the only impression?No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It's important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house. Spruce up your home's exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly coloured flowers. You can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home's curb appeal. Entryways are also important. You use it as a utility space for your coat and keys. But, when you're selling, make it welcoming by putting in a small bench, a vase of fresh-cut flowers or even some cookies.

Best of luck!