Do I need a real estate agent?
You don't need an agent; as a seller, you can find your own buyer. However, there are advantages to using a real estate agent. An agent will list your house on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and post the info and pictures on the Internet where the majority of buyers will be searching. An agent will have contacts with relocation services to find buyers who are moving into town. An agent has hard-nosed negotiating skills, knows how to overcome buyer resistance, and can answer all the questions about the closing.

How do I prepare my house for sale?
Before putting your house on the market, make it look as attractive as possible -- buyers will pay thousands of dollars more for a house they like the look of. Usually you don't need to do a major remodel, although a fresh coat of paint can brighten your home's prospects considerably.

How do I price my home?
To price your house, many factors come into play. How quickly do you want to sell? How strong is the real estate market in your area? In a weak sales market, there more sellers than buyers, and houses remain for sale longer. Determine the average sale price of houses in your neighborhood and the average time a house stays on the market. You can ask a realtor for a comparative market analysis, which is usually a free service. You can check house prices at the Multiple Listing Services online. Your county tax assessor’s office has public statistics on the value of houses and their purchase prices. When you need more help, you can contact a professional appraiser to determine the fair market value of your house. If you’re like most of us, you follow local real estate prices carefully, even when you’re not in the market to buy or sell.