If you’re planning on selling a home in the near future, it’s important to understand that doing so doesn’t need to be as difficult as you may assume. By taking certain essential steps, you’ll be more likely to sell your home quickly, and for a fair price.

Tips to keep in mind when preparing to sell a home include the following:

Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

This is perhaps the most important tip to consider when selling your home. Instead of rushing into your decision when choosing a realtor, take your time to assess your options.

Ideal realtors naturally have strong track records of success. They also go above and beyond what you may expect from a real estate agent. For instance, forward-thinking realtors understand that people are increasingly researching properties via the Internet these days. They also know that if the information a potential buyer has about a home is limited to a basic description and a few pictures, they might not be inclined to visit it. Some potential buyers may also currently live too far away to visit your home.

Thus, strong real estate agents are increasingly relying on innovative ways of showing off properties online, such as creating virtual tours of homes that potential buyers can take via their computers or mobile devices. Look for a real estate agent who takes such essential steps.

Boost Curb Appeal 

Don’t underestimate the degree to which your home’s curb appeal can influence how valuable potential buyers consider it to be. According to one study, homes with attractive exteriors sell for an average of seven percent higher than similar homes with less attractive exteriors.

Genuinely assess whether your home would impress you if you were a potential buyer seeing it from the street for the first time. Could it use a new paint job? Does the lawn look as inviting as it should? Is the driveway cracked and torn up?

True, taking steps to improve your home’s curb appeal may require investing some time and money. In the long run, though, taking such steps will help you earn more money when you sell your home.

Let in the Light 

Studies consistently show that exposure to natural light can significantly boost a person’s mood. Thus, you may want to let in a decent amount of natural light when potential buyers are visiting your home.

Your goal is to ensure they’re in a good mood when touring the house. You want them to reflect on the experience and associate it with positive feelings. Allowing more natural light in is an easy way to achieve this goal.

That said, if you’ve taken the time to choose a realtor who is a true expert, it’s best to defer to their suggestions when they decide how to stage your home. Although letting in natural light is generally a good idea, there may be unique circumstances when a smart real estate agent decides it’s best to actually allow a little less light in.

Just keep in mind that selling a home is still a somewhat lengthy process. You can’t expect your home to sell overnight. However, you can sell it more quickly and for more money if you remember these tips.