1.  Step One:  Start de-personalizing your home.  The goal is to get others to see your homes as their next potential home so take down personal photos, personal keepsakes and any other taste-specific items.  Besides, we don't want any lookers to be distracted by your beautiful things instead of your beautiful home.

2.  Step Two:  Start uncluttering your home.  You want as much open clear space as possible so every extra little thing needs to be removed and stored.  Since you want to move anyhow, this will just jumpstart the packing process.  One place that a lot of people overlook when it comes to this is kitchen cabinets.  Make sure they are all neat and organized as possible so potential buyers won't worry about not having enough cabinet space.

3.  Step Three:  Do NOT overimprove your house.  Sometimes sellers go way overboard and do not end up recouping those costs.  Try the little things first. 

               1)  Painting:  This is a very inexpensive technique that makes a big difference.  Choose colors based on what the majority of buyers would find appealing.  I have found that neutrals do work best.        

              2) Carpets Cleaned:  Unless your carpet appears old and worn or is an outdated color or style, your probably should do nothing more than hire a good carpet cleaner.  If you do choose to replace it, go with something fairly neautral.

              3)  Evaluate your bathroom and lighting fixtures:  Make sure they all look clean and as new as possible.  If they are realy outdated, go ahead and replace.

4.  Step Four:  The key to the whole selling game is to price your house RIGHT at the beginning.  Your house will get the most activity and traffic during its first two weeks on the market.  If you price high in the beginning and then reduce later, your house is now "old news" to agents.  You will never be able to recapture that flurry of initial activity so price it right in the beginning.

5.  Step Five:  Always communicate with your realtor during the entire process.  Contact them promptly with any concerns or questions.  Step up a schedule in the beginning of communication whether it be a weekly email or biweekly phone call.  Also remember to stay open minded and listen to all the feedback your agent is giving you.  They want the best for you and to sell your house so remember you are all on the same team!