12 Things to Do if You're Selling Your Home

In today's housing market, sellers seem to have the upper hand. Low mortgage rates are fueling buyer demand, so now's a good time to put your home up for sale. But if you're going to go that route, check these key items off your list first.

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Before you can even think about marketing your home, it's important to get a baseline of what it's worth. Your best bet in this regard may be to look up comparable sales in your area. If you see that several homes nearby that are similar to yours sold for $300,000 to $330,000, you should expect your home to fall somewhere in that range.

A home similar to yours around the corner may have just sold for $330,000, but if that home was in better shape, you're likely to get less for your property. Do an honest assessment of your home. If it needs work, you'll need to accept that you may get less money for it.

There are certain minor repairs that a prospective buyer may be willing to overlook, but anything that's a deal breaker -- a busted roof, electrical wiring that isn't up to code -- should be addressed before you list your home. Make a list of those necessary repairs and tackle them so you don't scare off buyers immediately.

In today's market, there's limited housing inventory available, which means buyers may be willing to settle for a home that's not the most updated. That said, upgrades to your home could result in a higher sale price, so figure out which improvements are worth making.

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As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

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You don't have to use a real estate agent to sell your home, but doing so might make the process much smoother, not to mention score you a higher sale price. Do some research to see what it takes to sell a home solo and decide whether you're up for the challenge.

Nothing turns potential buyers off like a cluttered home. Not only is it unattractive, but it makes your home look smaller than it really is. Before you put your home up for sale, spend some time clearing things out of it. That includes furniture items you can do without, like side or accent tables that may look nice but also take up space.

When buyers come to view your home, they need to imagine themselves living there. That's why it's important to depersonalize your home before they come see it. Take down family photos and remove artwork or other features that are unique to your taste.

You may be in love with your bright orange dining room walls and purple carpets in your daughter's bedroom, but buyers might feel differently. If you're going to sell your home, give it a makeover with neutral colors -- think browns, beiges, and grays.

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As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

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The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see when they come to view it, so it's important that your exterior looks nice. Give your fence a fresh coat of paint, plant some flowers, and trim unruly bushes. It'll go a long way.

A dirty home is an unappealing one. Before you invite prospective buyers in for an open house or to look around, it pays to invest in a thorough clean -- either one you do yourself or hire a service for.

Selling your home means you'll need a place to live once you find a buyer. And in today's market, that could prove challenging. Before you list your home, identify your target neighborhood and make sure you can really afford a home there.

If you're buying a new home once yours sells, you'll probably need a mortgage to finance it, and so you'll want to make sure you're a good candidate for a home loan. That means having a solid credit score, a steady job, and a relatively low debt-to-income ratio.

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As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

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The right strategy could make the process of selling your home easier and more financially rewarding. And remember, selling a home can take time, so don't get discouraged if your property doesn't get scooped up right away. If you prepare and price it accordingly, there's a good chance you'll find a buyer and walk away with a sale you're happy with.