In Buying a Home question 3, we discussed how the value of a home is subjective in many ways. But there are certain methods you can take to determine what you should sell your property for. One of the first, and easiest, methods is to use online home value estimators. These exist all around the internet, but Zillow and Redfin have popular versions. The next step is to talk with a realtor and get a broker price opinion or competitive market analysis. These are similar home value assessments, though a CMA focuses more on the recent sale values of similar homes in your community. For a more detailed look at your specific property, you may want to have an appraisal done.

Depending on the overall condition of your home, it might be best to make some big improvements before putting your house on the market. If your property needs a lot of work throughout the home to make it livable, you can think about skipping the costly renovations and selling as-is. However, something like a new roof could be taking more off the price of your house than it would cost to replace it. (In this blog post, we discuss why a new roof might be a good move.)

Little improvements are important as well, as they help show your home in its best light to buyers and are generally low cost. Give your house a thorough cleaning (windows, vents, tiles and floors), fresh coats of paint, repair the small things like leaky faucets, declutter and remove any tattered furniture, add air fresheners and remove items that might represent views potential buyers might not hold. Remember that selling requires home staging. You want your potential buyers to be able to easily see themselves living in your property.

Home staging is process of showcasing your home to buyers. You want to design and style your home in a way that will welcome buyers to envision themselves living in your property. Neutral walls and furniture are often used, with pops of decor to reflect seasons and evoke strong positive emotions from buyers. There are home staging professionals you can hire, as well as many resources online for those who are interested in staging their own homes for sale. Your real estate agent can also be a resource. Home staging can be incredibly powerful when done well and shouldn’t be overlooked. Here are some helpful home staging tips.

In general, spring is traditionally the best time to put your house on the market. This makes sense as spring is a time of change and transition. School years are ending, tax returns have been received, the weather is warming and the days are getting longer. In particular, the first 2 weeks of May are shown to offer the shortest time on market. This does vary by region, and climate, so if you’re flexible on when to sell your house, look for the best times in your specific location. It’s also important to remember to consider what the market is like: if it’s a good sellers market, time of year may be less important. Also remember, putting your home on the market doesn’t happen overnight. If you want your house listed during an exact window, start the process a few weeks before.

You can find the previous year’s property tax in the house’s listing information. This information is also usually available on the official websites of tax agencies (such as city or county auditor). Tax rates change regularly though, so keep in mind these are just estimates.

It is the job of a professional realtor to navigate the complex real estate business. Hiring a realtor can be a huge source of information, as well as a relief from many of the onerous tasks of selling a house. A realtor will help you determine a fair asking price, complete and file necessary documents. They will be able to list your home on multiple sites. They will create and pay for marketing and advertising to get your home in front of potential buyers. They will put on open houses and individual showings. And their experience will help them determine who is most likely to buy, who are qualified buyers and negotiate prices. They can help you navigate legal aspects, appraisal and inspections. There is a lot that goes into selling a house, and a professional realtor can be a valuable resource. If you’re selling, take a look at this article on choosing the right listing agent.

There are a few different ways to determine if a buyer is qualified to make an offer on your house. Looking at their credit history, current income or employment, whether they have been pre-qualified or pre-approved for a loan and the length of time they need before closing are all factors you should be looking at in potential buyers.