Selling a home can be daunting! Especially if you have lived in the same place for a long time. First, you need to realize that your house is not going to sell overnight, even in the best markets. Following a checklist like the one below can help get your home ready to list and it starts by finding the right realtor for you.

There are a lot of realtors out there and choosing the right one can be difficult. Look for someone who handles real estate around your home whether that is in Cypress or The Heights, Montrose, or West University.

Choose about three agents to interview – remember, your real estate agent works for you, and it is your choice. You may like the first one you visit, but go ahead and finish your interviews to make sure they are the one. Choose someone who is not only knowledgeable, but someone you feel comfortable with and can trust.

Some clutter may be well hidden, but we all have it. Choose a room and start sorting. What do you want to keep, what do you want to donate, what do you want to try to sell, and what can just simply go.

For the things you want to keep, but do not need right now, consider renting a storage unit for the short term. Collect your donations together in one place. As you find things you want to sell, consider having a garage sale, in which case start that collection in a separate location from your donations.

The objective at this point is not to make your move easier, but to give your house some breathing room.

Work with your realtor to set up a home inspection. As Realtor Heather Fordham says, it is better to find out what issues may need to be dealt with now, than later. This way you can handle those matters up front rather than waiting for them to become a problem when someone is, or was, ready to buy.

Based on your home inspection and your realtor's suggestions, compile a list of what needs to be done before listing your home. This could include roof repairs, a crack in a wall, built-in appliance repairs, and a leaky faucet. Consider updating out-of-date fixtures.

Think about repainting walls to light, neutral tones, especially any wall that’s currently very bold. Your taste may not resonate with potential buyers. And while the painters are there, have them touch up any scuff marks on walls, baseboards, and doors.

Check to assure there are no loose door handles or window locks. If there are, have a repair person fix them.

When listing your home, you want it to be problem-free and look well cared for, so a potential buyer sees a ready-to-move-in home, and not repairs waiting to be done.

Before you list your home, consider what a potential buyer will see as they drive up with their realtor. "Never underestimate the impact of making an excellent first impression," Heather says. That first impression is called curb appeal and can make or break a sale.

Creating curb appeal may be as easy as sprucing up the yard with a few landscape details and adding seasonal flowers. Maybe you need to paint the front door or your picket fence. Consider an exterior power wash including the patio or deck. Your realtor can help provide other suggestions.

Remember that potential buyers are apt to look in any nook or cranny of your home. You should not only start clearing off windowsills and counters, but cleaning out linen closets, kitchen cupboards, and clothing closets, including the coat closet.

Keep what you need in the short term but eliminate the rest. You want your home to show off a lot of closet and cupboard space.

At the same time, start depersonalizing. You want to allow homebuyers to envision themselves living in the space. Take down family photos, eliminate any religious mementos, and remove any bold artwork.

Eliminate any heavy drapery and replace it with simple blinds to allow the natural light to come in. Consider upgrading your lightbulb wattage a notch and make sure all bulbs in all fixtures are working including the closets.

Before you list, your home will need to be cleaned from top to bottom. Eliminate cobwebs, wash the windows and sills, clean behind the refrigerator, and wipe down the kitchen and bathroom cupboards.

And, while you are doing all this cleaning, do not forget to keep decluttering.

While everyone touring your house is likely great folks, it’s always advised to lock up your jewelry and valuable collectibles or pieces of artwork. This also gets them out of the way and depersonalizes your space.

Your realtor will be checking on comparables for recent sales in your areas, but do not be afraid to attend nearby open houses and see what else is being offered out there. This will not only provide pricing in the neighborhood but also ideas for tending to your own home before listing.

Make sure the title on your home is clean and free from liens. Make a list of the upgrades you have done to the home, most especially in recent years. New roofing, plumbing, and home improvements can boost your listing value by a lot. Appliance upgrades enhance the appeal of the home.

Sit down with your realtor to "determine your home's strengths and unique features" to promote the sale of your home, suggests HGTV. Once your home is ready, hire a professional real estate photographer. These days, home buyers rely more than ever on the representation of a listing they find on the internet before they set up a showing. You want to display the best possible representation of your home.

Professional stagers can provide simple touches to a house that may convince a looker to become a buyer. According to an article in Investopedia, "Staged homes have also historically sold faster and for more money than those that are not staged."

Stagers may change up the placement of artwork or add a mirror. They can offer a fresh take on an older motif. "Good staging companies strive to make over a property without being obvious," said Marjorie A. Cohen, the article's author.

You do not have to invest a lot and sometimes you can rent those polished touches simply for showing purposes. A few healthy potted plants, a bowl of fruit, or a bouquet of flowers can go a long way to spruce up a house.

Whether you have pets, cook a lot, or have had a smoker in the house, buyers will notice any unfamiliar or offensive odor. Your home may smell fine to you, but not to others. Trying to mask those odors with others such as aerosol sprays or candles will only offer the intent of a coverup.

It may take some deep cleaning to rid your home of these odors. Invite your family and friends to stop by and check it out. You need those you can rely upon to give your house a pass on the smell check.

Ask your realtor and if you hire a stager, ask them too. A sensitive nose can make or break a sale as much as a set of eyes.

Remember that when you list your home, you will have to keep it in top shape. You never know when a realtor will have a client wanting to take a tour. You will need to tidy up after yourselves daily. Some of the things you should do include:

If you have decided to list your Cypress, TX home for sale or home in Montrose or The Heights, call upon Heather Fordham Real Estate as one of your agents to interview. A Houston native, Heather has dedicated her professional life to understanding the ins and outs of real estate, and she is devoted to her clients. Contact Heather today!