Selling your home is an important milestone in life that can affect your financial future. When doing so, you want to avoid facing financial disaster or being financially disappointed. To better understand the home-selling process, there are things a homeowner should know to get their home sold fast and for the most amount of money. Here are some tips to consider before putting your house on the market, courtesy of Long Beach realtors Penny and John Dumke.

What is the first step you should take in selling your home?

You should understand why you are selling your home. Your motivation to sell is the determining factor as to how you approach the entire process of putting your house on the market. It affects everything, from how you set your asking price, to how much time, money, and effort you’re willing to invest in preparing your home for sale.

What is a key factor in maximizing your home’s selling potential?

Your home should be in “showcase condition” when planning to put your home on the market. It should be spotless, free of clutter and everything in proper working order—inside and out. The look and feel of your home will generate a greater emotional response from your buyers than any other factor. Even though your home may be priced to sell, buyers react to what they see, hear, feel and smell. So make sure your home is ready for your prospective buyers. Remember, you’re not just competing with other resale homes, but brand new ones as well, so keep that in mind when getting your home showcase ready.

What can sellers do to learn about the housing competition in your surrounding area?

The best way you can get an idea for the competition of the housing market is by visiting local open houses yourself. See what is trending and especially note floor plans, the appearance of the home, size, and other factors that contribute to that aforementioned “emotional” response from prospective buyers. You should take a particular note as to what sellers are asking for, and at what price the home is actually going for. If you want to have a quick sale, don’t list the price higher than your neighbors!

These are only a few highlights from the comprehensive free report entitled “27 Valuable Tips You Should Know to Get Your Home Sold Fast, and for Top Dollar,” that will help you prepare your home before placing it on the market. Request a free copy of the report, courtesy of John Dumke by calling 1-855-216-1962 and ask for ID number 1023. For a free list of all Long Beach homes for sale, including ones you can’t find on the internet, call Penny at (562) 572-2298 or call John at (562) 572-2296. You can also visit http://www.lbre.com/ to connect with Penny and John Dumke.