Request an updated property survey.  I will ensure it clearly marks boundaries, and will check for problems, easements and setbacks.

Make sure you know what stays or goes.
Your contract will be very specific about which items (appliances, etc) are included in the sale. Refrigerators and washers and dryers are never automatically included with a home. I will attempt to negotiate the most items for you to keep with the home including the refrigerator. In addition to lower prices overall, here are some things I have negotiated out of a seller for my clients: refrigerators, weight training equipment, tread mills, plasma TV's, Driveway sealing, garage sealing, extra custom cabinets, free rent, extra custom lighting, landscaping allowances, central vacuum systems, kitchen bar stools, free tile work and the list goes on and on.  I work to get you into the best home possible with the best terms, in the least amount of time with the fewest problems.  Not all licensee's are Realtors and not all Realtors are the same.  If you want someone to just write an offer for you, call any licensee.  If you want an educated, experienced negotiator working on your behalf, call me.

Get agreements in writing.   Make certain verbal agreements are written into the final contract to avoid any stressful and expensive issues later. If It isn't in the offer and in writing, it isn't going to happen.  I make sure what you want happens when you want it to.

I want you to know that I respect your privacy.  I will not ever call or email you unless you ask me to. However, if you wish to contact me by email or phone please do so.  Below are some sites I hope you find helpful to stop unwanted emails, phone calls and Junk mail.

Reduce calls by registering your phone numbers with the FTC.  Click on www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.  You must call from the number you wish to register.  Registration is FREE.

Reduce the preapproved credit card offers by registering with the major credit reporting agencies.  All four credit agencies support the www.optoutprescreen.com website.  Here you can opt out of lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance.  This should prevent the agencies from distributing your credit file information to those who want to send you credit or insurance solicitations unless you initiate the inquiry.

Reduce Junk Mail by registering with the Direct Marketing Association.  Go to www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html.  There you'll find the information on how to remove yourself from postal mailing lists as well as email lists.  You can also mail your request to: Direct Marketing Association, Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.  This should remove your name from all DMA member lists for 5 years.

Reduce spam or unwanted email solicitations.  Go to http://spam.abuse.net There is no site to enter your email and stop spam.  We imagine that everyone that put their email on a list would simply be added to everyones list to spam.  This site is informative and helpful in reducing spam.   

Whenever you move to a new address or get a new phone number you will want to register and opt out of these sites again.

This information was collected/copied from The Motley Fool.  For more great tips and investment strategies you can go to www.fool.com

Make first impressions count.   Without a doubt, a visually appealing house will attract buyers, who can't help but respond to the look and "feel" of a home. Take time to carefully prepare for showings. Don't forget the following:

• Cut the grass, this seems obvious but you'd be surprised how many homes have badly groomed yards.  You may even want to hire a landscaping company if you don't feel you can keep up with it. 
• Remove any clutter from the yard
• Trim hedges
• Weed gardens
• Wash steps, windows, railings, doors, etc
• Paint if needed
• Remove unnecessary clutter from garages

Scrub, dust and fix up the works.  Buyers will notice details. Get rid of the clutter, repair leaky faucets, wage war on dust and clean until your home shines. Small things can make a potential buyer walk away. When you prepare your house for showing, remember to:

• Shampoo carpets
• Clean tubs, toilets and showers and hang fresh towels
• Oil squeaky doors
• Fix things like broken hinges and light switches 

Listen to suggestions.   As you prepare your home, don't rely solely on your own judgement. It's hard to be objective when you're the owner. I  will have helpful, professional tips on how to make your home more marketable. Curb appeal is crutial as many potential buyers won't even get out of the car if the house is unkept.

Take a whiff.  Nothing will turn a buyer away faster than an odd smell. Try to eliminate smoking, food and pet odors. And don't leave any clues. If potential buyers see a dog or an ashtray, they'll be on the lookout for smells and stains. Clean up after your pet every day.  Imagine a buyer stepping in a mess while trying to decide if they want to live there......

Turn on the lights. Open shades and draperies before a viewing. Open all doors inside home. Turn on inside and outside lights.  If you home does not smell particularly fresh light a scented candle as you leave the buyers and their agent to preview your home.  Don't leave a candle burning if someone will not be there to watch it. If you have a surround sound system turn on some soft gentle music to set a nice mood.

Let potential buyers "see" themselves in your home. Too many personal items can make viewers feel like they're intruding in someone else's home. Keep things clean and simple. Decorate in neutral colors.  Do you have a green toilet from the 70's?  A new one will be the best $100 you ever spend.

Get out of the house. When buyers view your home, they'll be more comfortable and spend more time if you're not there. If you must be present, be as unobtrusive as possible. Let ME do the work.  This is the most important thing you can say to a potential buyer or the agent with them....NOTHING.  Loose lips sink ships and negotiations.  Do not say anything other than hello to a potential buyer.  Unless you have a degree in Real Estate and a License to practice it, do not talk to buyers.  Simply leave the home, go for a walk, get the mail etc.  Savy negotiators like myself will be pumping you for information.  Why are you selling?, where are you going? are all things a buyers agent may use against you later. Tell a savy negotiator you must move or the house needs to be sold by a particular date and you may have just thrown away thousands of dollars off of an offer.  I was once representing a buyer at a home where the seller wanted to stay and talk and the seller actually volunteered that the price could come down $25,000 and they would still be doing good.  Wow, I never saw anyone try to give away $25,000 (a new BMW's worth) that fast.  We may have offered something slightly less than list but instead armed with that information it was $28,000 below.  Remember, Say NOTHING.

Stay unemotional during negotiations.   Selling your home can be emotionally charged, but don't let that stand in the way of making a deal. Have a business-like attitude during the process.

Choose a REALTOR® you like and trust. Choose me, you'll be glad you did