The key to getting the highest possible price for your home is to hire a good real estate agent. The agent will set the price, take pictures, write advertising, show the home and negotiate the offers.

A good real estate agent has indepth knowledge about comparables in your neighborhood and the overall state of the housing market that will enable him or her to determine a fair value for your home. The agent will also have more understanding of the buyer’s frame of mind. This can be crucial in negotiating the best price for your home.

By using accurate initial market pricing, you will attract more agents and buyers to your home, increasing the likelihood of a bidding war, or selling quickly. As a rule of thumb, the quicker you sell, the higher the price you will get. If you want to price it over the fair market value, you should not price it more than 5 to 10 percent higher.

If your home has been on the market for too long, you will lose your negotiating power. Usually, the longer the home is on the market, the greater the likelihood that you will have to make price concessions. This is why overpricing your home is generally a bad idea, as it will tend to cost you more as your home remains unsold and you are forced to lower the price dramatically.

A good real estate agent will actively seek out buyers rather than waiting for buyers to come to them. You want a proactive agent who will market your home daily to other agents and potential buyers. An agent will display your listing with attractive photos on his or her website and present your home in the best possible light.

You should also get an agent who demonstrates strong negotiating skills. The negotiation process is crucial and can increase your sale price by thousands of dollars. This is where a good real estate agent will make a huge difference in the selling price.

With the help of a good real estate agent, you will be able to get the best possible price for your home and close the sale quickly with minimal headaches.