Prepare your home for a walk through by prospective buyers. Clean out all of the stuff that you have collected over the years and haven't touched in half as many. Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls, doors, fences, woodwork, and whatever else looks like it can handle it. Clean the carpets, the curtains, and even the windows. After all, most prospective buyers take a look at the neighborhood from the windows so they can get a feel for it.

Hire a real estate lawyer and get the facts that you need. Arrange for the lawyer to stay with you from start to finish. That is, hire the lawyer to review any offers or contracts and handle the closing. If you don't want to hire a lawyer, contact a title company and see if they can help you.

Set a realistic price. Do your research and find out what similar homes in your neighborhood are listed at and have sold at. Read the local real estate ads, call the realtor listed for homes in your area, or use the Internet. Price your home comparatively. Don't try to recoup the costs for any old or minor improvements. It really doesn't work like that.

Advertise. Don't be lulled into thinking that just because you have a terrific newspaper advertisement that is all that you need. There is no such thing as going overboard when you are trying to sell a home. Invest in as many of these as you can: signs for the lawn, photographs of the interior and exterior of the home, and information sheets to pass out at the open houses that you are going to hold.

Be flexible. If the prospective buyer is making an offer that you can live with, then live with it. It is okay to get a little less than you are hoping for; after all, you don't have to pay a realtor.

Be honest and anticipate problems. The potential buyer will typically insist on a home inspection, even if he does have to pay for it. If the inspection shows up any problems, you may have to fix it or pay for it. To avoid a delay on a sale, try to fix any problems in advance.