Selling a house in today’s tough real estate market? Furniture, paint, clutter and repairs all impact the sale of a house. Is the price right? Maybe not! Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips segment for tips on how to sell your house from painting to repricing!

You will likely sell your house faster and for more money if you avoid these common pitfalls. To properly stage your home for sale you will need a thorough housecleaning, an open mind and some home improvements.

Step 1: Declutter your home Get rid of as much clutter as possible. Stuffed closets, extraneous furniture, exercise equipment in living quarters, crowded countertops, overflowing cabinets, and endless knickknacks make homes seem smaller than they are. Consider putting some things in storage.

Step 2: Hide your pets Hide all evidence that you own animals. Just because your potential buyer loves his own pets doesn’t mean he wants a house that reeks of yours. Get rid of pet stains and odors (pay a professional if you have to) and send the four-legged family members to a neighbor’s house when you show your home.

Step 3: Be scarce yourself And, while you’re at it, make yourself scarce during home showings. You know how you feel about those annoying salespeople who follow you around the store, making you uncomfortable? That’s how potential home buyers will feel about you.

Step 4: Don’t discount the first offer Think carefully before you reject the first offer …

The best way to sell your house quickly is to give a great first impression to buyers by showing an open space and to declutter.

When you remove clutter from your home, the showing allows buyers to imagine their own space.

Also keep in mind appropriate market value and pricing.

Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more ideas on how to sell your house.

An experienced real estate attorney can usually help out with any real estate transaction, but a real estate attorny might be especially useful if you are selling your own home. When completing a FSBO sale, a real estate attorney can help protect you and make sure everything is done right, according to the law. Don’t get tripped up on contracts and the legal aspect if you’ve already made a successful FSBO sale.

Home sellers don’t have to get stuck with selling their home with a traditional real estate agent or broker. They can try listing the home themselves as “For Sale By Owner.” Selling a home yourself can be tricky, but with more people using the Internet to search for and buy homes, websites like FSBO.com can help make the job easier. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips Video to learn more about “For Sale By Owner.”

What kind of seller should try to sell their home without an agent? Listing a home as “for sale by owner” can be difficult, but it might be worth the 6 percent commission you could save. Sellers will need to have the time to be able to show their homes and schedule appointments, and Internet access is a must. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more help with making the decision to sell your home without an agent.

When you are selling your home without the help of an agent, there are a lot of Internet resources and websites you can use. How do you know which one is right for you? Our experienced FSBO sellers said they used a simple Google search to see what was out there, but they made their choice by evaluating the FSBO websites from the perspective of a buyer. They also said that most FSBO websites cost about the same amount, but if you comparison shop you may be able to strike a great bargain. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more help on how to choose the best FSBO Internet resources.