1. Get estimates from a reliable repairperson on items that need to be replaced soon, such as a roof or worn carpeting, for example. In this way, buyers will have a better sense of how much these needed repairs will affect their costs.

2. Have a termite inspection to prove to buyers that the property is not infested.

1. Develop a master “to do” list so you won’t forget something critical.

2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.

3. Don’t throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer had it.

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.

2. Get your house market-ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.

3. Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you’ll find a seller.

1. Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.

2. Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.

3. Serve cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming touch. But be sure the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable cups so the sink doesn’t fill up.

1. Put fresh or silk flowers in principal rooms for a touch of color.

2. Add a new shower curtain, fresh towels, and new guest soaps to every bath.

3. Set out potpourri or fresh baked goods for a homey smell.

1. The closing date. See if the date the buyer wants to take title is reasonable for you.

2. Date of possession. See if the date the buyer wants to move in is reasonable for you.

3. The earnest money. Look for the largest earnest-money deposit possible; since it is forfeited if the buyer backs out, a large deposit is usually a good indication of a sincere buyer.

To find out how much money you’ll net from your house, add up your closing costs and subtract them from the sale price of the house.

1. Give your forwarding address to the post office, usually two to four weeks ahead of the move.

2. Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of the change of address.

3. Develop a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified of the move.

1. Owner’s manuals for items left in the house.

2. Warranties for any items left in the house.

3. A list of local service providers—the best dry cleaner, yard service, etc.

Make your home more appealing for potential buyers with these quick and easy tips.

1. Trim bushes so they don’t block windows and cut down on light.

2. Buy a new doormat.

3. Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.

It’s an objective opinion of value, but it’s not an exact science so appraisals may differ.

For buying and selling purposes, appraisals are usually based on market value—what the property could probably be sold for. Other types of value include insurance value, replacement value, and assessed value for property tax purposes.

When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.

In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:

Upgrading your home is always appealing, but which enhancements really get you a good return for your money when it’s time to sell? The 2003 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling magazine and REALTORÒ Magazinehas the answer.

To see the complete article, visit http://www.realtor.org/rmomag.NSF/pages/costvaluedec03.

1. Get at least three written estimates.

2. Get references and call to check on the work. If possible, go by and visit earlier jobs.

3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.

REALTORS®: This handout is meant to help you convert FSBOs. You may personalize and customize this handout as needed.

• Consider comparables. What have other homes in your neighborhood sold for recently? How do they compare to yours in terms of size, upkeep, and amenities?

• Consider competition. How many other houses are for sale in your area? Are you competing against new homes?

REALTORS®: This handout is meant to help you convert FSBOs. You may personalize and customize this handout as needed.

• Advertise your open house. Ideally you should advertise both the weekend before and the weekend of the open house. Check with the local paper to see when their ad closing deadlines are.

• Create a property summary sheet. This sheet gives prospective buyers an overview of your home. Include dimensions for each room, copies of a property survey, summaries of utility costs and property taxes, and a list of when capital items, such as roofs and furnace, were added.

REALTORS®: This handout is meant to help you convert FSBOs. You may personalize and customize this handout as needed.

1. Real estate attorney

2. Appraiser

3. Home inspector

REALTORS®: This handout is meant to help you convert FSBOs. You may personalize and customize this handout as needed.

1. Property Disclosure Form. This form requires you to reveal all known defects to your property. Check with your state government to see if there is a special form required in your state.

2. Purchasers Access to Premises Agreement. This agreement sets conditions for permitting the buyer to enter your home for activities such as measuring for draperies before you move.

• The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) statement. This form, sometimes called a HUD 1 statement, itemizes all the costs associated with the closing. You’ll need this for income tax purposes and when you sell the home.

• The Truth in Lending Statement summarizes the terms of your mortgage loan.

• The mortgage and the note (two pieces of paper) spell out the legal terms of your mortgage obligation and the agreed-upon repayment terms.