Putting the home on the market before the polish. This happens because the seller has pushed himself up against a moving deadline without getting the pre-sale work done. So it comes on the market with the horrible paint color his teenager wanted (so it gets redone during the marketing of the home); Presentation is everything -- so get the work done before marketing the property.

Over improving in the home compared to the neighborhood. This happens with additions, oversized deck or patio or Pool, and upgrades that make the home stick out from among the surrounding homes… so much so that it's an anomaly, instead of a nice addition to the community. Just because you love the hot tub doesn’t mean the new buyer will, beside how much is that 10 year old hot tub worth? It just may be an added cost for the new owner to remove.

Pricing the home based on what the seller wants to net. This pricing strategy always ends in failure. Sellers can control the "asking" price, but they don't control the "sales" price. The market does. It doesn't matter what the seller wants, the price is determined by competitors currently on the market. The ten percent rule is …ten percent of homes on the market will sell every month how do I become one of those ten…price to the current market! And get sold!

Hiring an agent based on non-business factors. They are good looking and appear nice but do they have it when it counts? Are they part Timers? Agents have to be available on the weekends as well as during the week can a part timer do this? Make sure you're hiring a professional with a proven track record. It might be nice to hand over your largest asset to your wife’s cousin who just got his license -- but does he have the experience to handle the deal if it starts heading south. Ask about their skills in marketing, not about the ad in the newspaper for one weekend. Do they use today’s media for marketing…social media sites, Websites, links, virtual tours, great pictures…if they can’t answer these questions, run! Do they drop the normal commissions just to get the listing, how can they maintain proper marketing if the potential to make a “normal" commission is not there. Pay the going rate and get the regular service! Discount rates = Discount service….remember always you get what you pay for, a discount rate is no savings if it doesn’t sell

Getting emotionally involved in the sale of the home. This is one of the biggest challenges home sellers face when putting their house on the market. Once you decide to sell your house, it's no longer a home, but a Product. It needs to be prepared as a product, marketed as a produce, and priced as a product. It doesn't matter what you "want," only what the market can bear on pricing. You can't get emotional about how they may or may not appreciate the things you love about your home of many years.

Trying to cover up problems, or not disclosing them. Most states have a property disclosure/disclaimer form -- use it wisely. Just because you sign the form doesn't mean you cannot be sued later for the wet basement or bad heating/air system that's discovered 30 days after closing.

Not getting your ducks lined up before trying to sell. This would involve financing, reading the fine print on your current mortgage to ensure no pre-payment penalties, not paying attention to the current local market. If your local market is dictating lower home prices, then lower it early, not later -- it will cost you more aggravation. If the budget dictates selling your home first, and then buying second, do it in that order.

• Say to yourself, This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be marketed like any other product in a store.
• Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
• Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the new owners!
• Say goodbye to every room.
• Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.

• Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there! You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."

• People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in 3 years, you probably don't need it.
• If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Remove all books from bookcases.
• Pack up those all those knickknacks.
• Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items tumble out! Now imagine what a buyer thinks about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means:

• Alphabetize spice jars. If you haven’t used it recently pack it
• Neatly stack dishes. Do not over store items, leave space.
• Turn cup handles to face the same way. Arrange utensils.
• Hang shirts together, buttoned and all facing the same direction.
• Line up shoes. Stack folded items neatly.

• Almost every home shows better with less furniture.
• Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now empty, store them.
• Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger.
• Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around.
• You don't want buyers scratching their heads and saying, "What is this room used for?"

• If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.

• Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
• Patch holes and cracks on drywall.
• Fix leaky any faucets.
• Fix/Adjust doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
• Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to Green or pink walls. (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the orange bathroom.")
• Replace burned-out light bulbs. Remember to turn most on when a showing is scheduled
• If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!

• Clean windows inside and out. It says you keep up on everything.
• Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
• Clear out cobwebs.
• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks etc.
• Polish up the chrome faucets and mirrors.
• Clean out the Frig.
• Vacuum daily.
• Wax floors.
• Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
• Bleach dingy grout.
• Replace /Remove worn rugs.
• Hang up fresh towels.
• Hand towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
• Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no. Watch out for heavy masking products to much tells the buyers that there is a problem

• Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?
• Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
• Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
• Make sure window coverings hang level. All the way open is usually good.
• Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz?
• Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You're almost finished.

• If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because she doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get her inside.
• Keep the sidewalks cleared.
• Mow the lawn.
• Paint faded window trim.
• Plant flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion.
• Trim your bushes. Rake the mulch beds.
• Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.
• The front door is the first impression do…paint, polish, and cleans all around.