10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Sold My First Home

So the time has come for you to say goodbye to your house. Selling can be an emotional process, and also one that’s full of surprises. To get that listing just right, run open houses with ease and bring in strong offers takes serious work. So we spoke with a home seller, a seller’s agent and an online listing expert on what to expect. Here are their ten best tips, from simple curb appeal to acing the open house.

It might seem easy to forgo the agent and list your home online "for sale by owner." Resist the temptation, says Ban Leow, a seller in Brooklyn, New York who also works as an agent with Halstead. "Your agent is your neighborhood expert," he says. "They know the inventory and what your house is up against." They’ll also help promote and run open houses, bring in potential buyers and assist with price negotiations.

The internet is an essential tool, as online marketplaces will tell you how much nearby properties have sold for. It’ll also show you agents working in the neighborhood and the prices they’re bringing in for properties similar to yours. "Look for someone with a great track record in strong sales," says Nate Johnson, chief marketing officer at realtor.com.

Selling your house is undoubtedly an emotional experience, but don’t let that get in the way. "You need a professional looking at your home with fresh eyes," says Julia Boland, an agent with the Corcoran Group. Don’t be offended when they’ve got suggestions about potential home upgrades before selling, strategies for open houses or the right offer to accept. To them, it’s just another day at work — and selling for a high price is in their best interest, too.