Selling tip: The one-month review

"After a home has been on the market for a month, the seller should meet with his or her agent and review the activity and feedback, revisit the competition and discuss physical improvements ... or a price adjustment. Listings that sit there without any changes suggest an unmotivated, stubborn seller."

Selling tip: Clean up

"Pick up and remove the leaves, branches and anything else Old Man Winter has strewn about that will detract from the first impression of potential buyers. There will be plenty of time to sit back later in the day with that perfect red wine."

Selling tip: Evaluate before you sell

Have a professional real estate agent evaluate your home before determining an asking price. ... The price should always be evaluated taking into consideration the location and neighborhood, condition of the house and property, the home's curb appeal and current available properties in the neighborhood.

Selling tip: Use the furniture

When your home is on the market it is best to show it when it is still furnished rather than when it is vacant. Without furniture, buyers may have a hard time getting a feel for the layout, which will make it hard for them to imagine what it will look like furnished.

SELLING TIP

Offer a one-year home warranty

"To provide a little incentive for potential buyers, you may want to offer a one-year home warranty. Home warranties cover unexpected breakdowns of covered systems and appliances and cost about $500, which is paid at closing. This may help prospective buyers feel assured that certain mechanical problems within their first year of ownership will be covered. Buyers may find this especially attractive if your home is older."

SELLING TIP

Organize garage

"When it comes to your garage, a neat appearance goes a long way. Keep the floor clean and categorize, shelve and store seasonal items like spring and summer planting materials, or winter shovels, ice melters and antifreeze."

SELLING TIP

Home scents matter

"Be aware of the odors that could affect the way buyers react to your home. A freshly painted house smells great. If you have a pet, make sure you clean floors or carpeting. Use scented candles to cover any unpleasant cooking smells, like fish, that may linger from the night before. Fresh flowers smell nice, look nice and will brighten up the rooms, especially in winter."

Spruce up the front entrance

"The first and last thing that a buyer sees when looking at your home is the front door. Give that door a fresh coat of paint, and repair or replace the door as necessary before showing your home. It is a small investment for a big return."

SELLING TIP

Consider the value of making repairs

"Make a great first impression. Unfortunately, very few homes are already picture perfect when the owners make the decision to sell. Most require anywhere from minor repairs to major renovations. How little or how much work you do is entirely up to you. But remember, the more attractive the house is, the more appealing it will be to prospective buyers."

SELLING TIP

Replace spent vegetable beds, plants for fall

"As gorgeous or productive as your flower and vegetable gardens may have been during the summer, make sure you remove any leggy, faded or spent plants and replace with seasonal favorites during the autumn months."

Change bedding seasonally

"Change bedding from summer colors to fall colors like beige, browns, reds and yellows. Pumpkin spice candles are nice ... Fresh sunflowers on the kitchen table are a must."

Price at or below market value to heighten interest

"In this market you have to price your home right where it should be or a little under market value to get the most buyers interested, which in turn equals more offers and money in your pocket in the least amout of time."

Clean up the front entry

"The first things buyers will see are the walkway and front door. Make sure their first impression is a good one. Powerwash the walkway and remove any mold or overgrown grasses or weeds. For a feng shui garden, plant red flowers, which symbolize money." Lori Barbaria, Prudential Douglas Elliman, Bridgehampton

Don't babble during a showing

"Sellers shouldn't talk too much when showing the house. Buyers know when they're in the kitchen and bathroom. If not, we've got a problem. Too much chatter breaks the concentration of the buyer. Let them discover the house and get a feel for it as they walk through. Excess information won't help if they are not interested in the property."

Tip: Keep plants looking healthy

"When showing your home, plants are not always an asset. Keep the fake flowers and plants to a minimum or remove. Real plants with sparse foliage are a turnoff, too. If you can't bear to get rid of them, transplant them into one pot for a fuller look." Valerie Whyte, Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, Huntington

Have a seller's inspection to uncover surprises

"One of the largest stumbling blocks in a home sale is when the buyer's inspector uncovers issues no one knew about. Have a seller's inspection before you put the home on the market to eliminate potential surprises. Fix any problems found or disclose the issues to potential buyers by letting them see the inspection report."

Decorate in season

"Think about tailoring your decor to the seasons. For a summer lift, homes always appeal to buyers when they are fresh smelling and fragrant with bouquets. As autumn approaches, bring out some cashmere throws, and holly or pepperberry from the garden ... and cinnamon potpourri."

Selling tip: Run laundry before open house

"The smell of clean laundry is always nice. To help your home smell fresh, run a load of laundry before you show the house, and tuck a few dryer sheets under the cushions of couches and chairs and inside any closets that may have a stale odor."

Don't cancel insurance too early

"When you are selling your home, make sure you don't cancel your home insurance policy until after the closing, just in case there is a delay. The home is still yours until the house is transferred to the new owner, and you shouldn't be without insurance coverage in the meantime."

Air out the house

"With older homes, it's best to air the home and basement a few days before showing and especially an hour or so before an open house. Fresh air is always more appealing than a covered-up smell. Open curtains and shades to allow the sunlight in, but step back and look at the glass, walls and flooring. In the daylight, flaws show up more."

Create a fresh smell

."If the home has air-conditioning, be sure to use it to keep the house at its freshest during summer showings. I recommend putting a dab of rosemary oil on a piece of cotton and sticking it in a vent where the air is blowing out to create a fresh smell."

Bring the interior out

"Make your exterior space more like interior space. There are inexpensive outdoor area rugs in beautiful patterns that make decks, patios and porches inviting."

Trim shrubs

"Trim shrubs that are close to the house and ensure that there are no insect nests in the shrubs or on the house. You want to avoid any surprises or accidents when you are showing your home to buyers."

Selling tip: Use mirrors wisely

"Mirrors can provide a greater sense of space and elegance when properly placed. Be careful not to overdo it. But when placed properly throughout your home, each area will seem larger to the potential home buyer. Try looking in your attic or basement for any old mirrors, but be sure they have a nice frame or at least give the frame a new coat of paint."

Selling Tip: Straighten up

"Before showing your property, straighten up and remove any items that detract from the natural beauty of your yard, like children's toys and garden or lawn equipment. Get rid of an unsightly aboveground pool, and remove woodpiles, especially if they are old and unusable."