Create a marketing plan for your home that will help distinguish it in your local marketplace and attract buyers to your property. This may include advertising in the newspaper, posting your listing on the Internet, holding an open house and more.

Craig Laine Realty Inc. Professionals create a personalized selling program for clients. Its purpose is to sell a home at the best price possible in the shortest amount of time.

• Agree on a marketing plan

A key part of the marketing plan is setting the list price. If a home is priced too low, it may cost you money. If a home is priced too high, potential buyers may not view your home. To determine the best asking price review the cost of recently sold homes, evaluate the competition and study marketplace trends.

Craig Laine Realty Inc. Professionals are trained to use this information to help you reach the right asking price. It is also helpful to discuss other terms and conditions, such as timing and items that can be included with the sale of the home. Both of these can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

• Determining the value of your home
  
  
• Pricing your property
  
  
• Factors that influence overpricing

Now it's time to get your home ready for the spotlight.

Start with a good cleaning, then eliminate any clutter, add a fresh coat of paint and tidy up the yard.

Talk to your real estate professional about other tips that can help boost a home's curb appeal and impress potential buyers once they're in the door.

• Renovating for resale
  
  
• Preparing to show your home
  
  
• Preparing for home inspection

In some cases, a home sale can also be an invitation for danger. Here are some things you can do to make the process safer.

• Ask for identification
• Ask for pre-approval letter
• If you have pets, make sure they are controlled
• Remove any dangerous items
• Remember "For Sale" signs bring in buyers. Do not allow your children to open doors to strangers

A buyer has made an offer - now it is time to negotiate. Rely on your real estate professional to guide you through this process.

Craig Laine Realty Inc. Professionals will help you arrive at an acceptable price, terms and conditions. Once you have accepted an offer, help keep the deal together by meeting deadlines and criteria, including home inspections, appropriate buyer visits, scheduled deposits and other steps. In fact, during this period there may be a renegotiation of the accepted offer price depending on the outcome of these visits. As the closing nears, you may also need to perform repairs or do additional work to the house as agreed upon in your contract.

• The major elements of an offer
  
  
• Signing a listing agreement