1. Know your options

Even if you don't want to employ a full service agent to sell your home, you can often find either discount brokers willing to work for less of a commission or a listing service that will post your home information to a multiple listing service or MLS, the main database that Realtors use to find homes for sale in their area, for a flat fee. Lewis chose a listing service for her last home sale, giving her the benefits of an MLS without the agent attached.


2. Set a realistic price

Once you've decided on a route, do your research on sites like AOL.RealEstate, Zillow and Trulia to see what comparable homes in your area are listing and selling for. Be sure to take into account special features, such as updated kitchens and bathrooms, pools and garages when coming to a final asking price. Online appraisal services can also do the work for you. For example, forsalebyowner.com offers their online valuation report for as little as $18.95.

Quick Tip: Only look at recent area home prices, don't go any further back than six months.


3. Have someone on your side

If you choose to sell your home completely solo be sure to have at least one expert in your corner. Employing a real estate attorney can save you time and money in the long run. "Get an independent party to review the documents," says Lewis. "It's well worth the money."

4. Be prepared to do the work

A sale by owner isn't as easy as it may look. Between marketing the home, showing the home, negotiations, contracts and closings, home sales can often become another full-time job.

Lewis, who has a background in marketing, took matters into her own hands, hiring both a photographer and videographer to create a virtual tour of her home for MLS and creating flyers that she then placed underneath the sign in her front yard. She also handled all the showings herself. The benefit? "A lot of the buyers appreciated being able to talk to the owners directly," says Lewis, "about the neighborhood, the schools, the traffic...."

When it comes to writing actual advertising copy, stay concise and to-the-point, says forsalebyowner.com. Read through other ads in the paper or online and see what works, then highlight the features that set your home apart from the rest.


5. Sellers beware

Even those going the FSBO route may not escape the reach of shady buyers, so protect yourself with a few simple realty agent tricks. Coldwell Banker agent Jan Bronis sold her Miami home on her own, before becoming an agent herself, and advises those going that route to be cautious.

"Always get a phone number before a showing and always find a reason to call the number and be sure it's real," she says. Another Realtor tip? Try to make sure buyers are pre-qualified, or have at least met with a mortgage broker prior to showing the home. "A lot of buyers don't even know what they can afford and may just be wasting your time," says Bronis.

So after all the marketing and showing and pricing that goes along with being an FSBO seller, is it really worth it to try the home sale yourself? Lewis says maybe. "Don't do it out of arrogance, " she says. "Educate yourself. Make sure you know what you're doing." Lewis herself ended up selling her last Dallas home in less than three months before making the move to Florida with her family.

As buyers in a new city and a new market, the search for a new home led the Lewises to an old path. They called an agent.


More on AOL Real Estate:
Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
Find homes for sale in your area.
Find foreclosures in your area.
Get property tax help from our experts.

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Want to learn more about home buying and home finance? If so, you won't want to miss
our online discussion with industry experts,
"What Works Now: Smart Moves When Buying a Home,"
created by AOL Real Estate in participation with Bank of America Home Loans.
Watch it now on AOL Real Estate.

1. Lighten up

Nothing helps a house like natural light, so in the moments before an open house pull back the drapes, open the blinds and let the sunlight in, says Sean Shallis, senior real estate strategist for The Shallis Group. As you're completing your walk-through, turn on the lights in every room (including bathrooms and closets). That will allow potential buyers to see clearly and it creates a welcoming, open feel to the home.

2. Clean up

Spotless is the word to remember. It sounds simple, but many people forget that even the smallest mess can throw off a potential buyer. Do a quick walk-through before the open house and make sure that kitchen and bathroom counters are cleared and wiped. Toss any extra clutter lying around. Dirty laundry? Purses? Books? Toys? Throw them under the bed or in a dedicated space in the garage. Just keep clutter away from buyers' eyes.

3. Enhance curb appeal

Never underestimate the power of curb appeal. That means making sure that the front of the house is bright and welcoming. For Staley, it's as simple as a last-minute sweep of the front porch and driveway, and a quick look for spiderwebs or dirt at any windows that flank the entrance. "As a Realtor, it is such a pleasure to walk in the front door of a home that says, 'Welcome! Come on in!' as soon as you walk up the sidewalk," she adds.

4. Set the scene

Even an immaculate home can up its "wow" factor with small touches in the minutes before an open house. Soft music and a well-set dining room table can warm up the house and help buyers picture themselves living there. Something that won't? Pets. Staley, a self-proclaimed animal-lover, is quick to remind her clients that not everyone feels the same way. Make sure pets are securely locked away or, even better, out for a long walk.

5. Get out of the house

If you're working with a Realtor, almost every agent will tell you the same thing: It's never a good idea for the seller to be home during an open house. So find a way to leave the house before buyers arrive. If you're selling your home yourself, be aware of what you say to potential buyers during a showing. There's no need to spew every detail about the house unless the buyers ask. In fact, Shallis suggests, have a friend or family member show the home. "As the owner, it's almost impossible not to oversell your home," he says.

Though they may seem basic, it's little details in the eleventh hour that can make a difference in the speed of the sale and, ultimately, the final selling price. "Dirty, dark, cluttered homes can sell," says Staley. "But if they are brightened, lightened, cleaned, and decluttered with some sense of pride of ownership displayed, they will sell for so much more."


More on AOL Real Estate:
Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
Find homes for sale in your area.
Find foreclosures in your area.
Get property tax help from our experts.

Though she now calls Washington, D.C. her home, interior designer Zoe Feldman has experienced a tour of her own small-space living, up and down the East Coast.

There was the miniscule kitchen of her Sarasota rental; three space-challenging Manhattan dwellings (two with an added faux wall for even less living space); and a narrow Georgetown townhouse. So in addition to her training at Parsons and four years at a Manhattan design firm, Feldman always seemed to find herself in a real-world crash course on how to make the most of her space. Lucky for us, she's willing to share her secrets.

A table that opens to accommodate larger groups; nesting tables that can be rearranged to suit your needs, and even the old, faithful pullout sofa all rise to the top of Feldman's "Do" list. The same goes for a great-looking hollow ottoman -- Feldman suggests using it for extra seating or extra storage -- or an open bookcase, which can act as storage unit and room divider, while still allowing light into the room. For smaller pieces (such as toys or magazines), look for pretty baskets; and if space still won't allow for that, hide clutter on a bookshelf ... just hang a great piece of art in front!

2. Make it monochromatic

Forget the crazy colors, Feldman says sticking to one palette will help make the space look larger. If you want to add interest, she suggests adding an accent wall, which can also create depth -- just remember to keep the colors neutral. Another tip? Keep wall trim the same color as the wall but vary the finish just slightly. "Try a semi-gloss or a high-gloss on one and then an eggshell finish on the other," she says.

Got an extra closet? Put it to use. "Take the doors off, and you have a great alcove," says Feldman, who suggests placing a TV in the space, adding a desk for a home office or even (if you have the room) recessing your sofa into the open space. Add floating shelves, and it will look more design element and less closet.

Even the most novice home decorator knows that mirrors can open up a space, but Feldman suggests taking it a step farther. "Look for mirrored furniture," she says. While heavy wood can weigh down a room, mirrored -- or even clear Lucite or glass -- furniture can reflect light and make the room feel light and airy.

Elongate your space by making visitors see higher ceilings than might actually be there. How? Go tall. An extra-tall headboard can not only pull the eye up, but can act as a divider to hide extra storage. Vertical stripes painted on the walls (or via wallpaper) can have the same effect. On the other end of the spectrum, floor coverings should be bigger than smaller. A large rug in a fun pattern can make a room feel bigger and define your space.


Also on AOL Real Estate.
See apartments for rent in your area.
Looking for a new home? See "Should You Rent or Buy?"

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Want to learn more about home buying and home finance? If so, you won't want to miss
our online discussion with industry experts,
"What Works Now: Smart Moves When Buying a Home,"
created by AOL Real Estate in participation with Bank of America Home Loans.
Watch it now on AOL Real Estate.

There's an old saying that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. So when Denver realtor Mitch Rothman of The Kentwood Company recently showed a million-dollar listing he was surprised to see that the only entrance to the lavish master suite was through a bathroom.

Though it may seem simple, you'd be surprised at the amount of bathroom horror stories out there. The truth is, according to most realtors, a well-thought-out and smartly executed bathroom renovation can help boost the resale value of your home and even possibly help it sell faster.

1. Go big

No one, and we mean no one, wants a small bathroom. For a simple quick fix, Miami Realtor William Meyersohn of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate recommends adding mirrors or large windows to give a small bathroom an airy feel. If you're planning to undergo a major renovation, he suggests stealing square footage from an adjoining room to expand your bathroom space.
Rothman goes even further to say that if you have the budget (and the right plumbing layout) you should consider adding a bathroom -- it can only add value to the resale of your home.

2. Your taste is, well, your taste

3. Stay consistent

4. Think forward

These days people want simple, fast and eco-friendly. That means nix the giant whirlpool tubs if you're doing a total renovation. It's a waste of space and a trend not likely to gain momentum again anytime soon, according to Meyersohn. But don't eliminate tubs altogether. Most buyers -- especially those with children -- want at least one tub in a home.

5. Don't skimp

You don't have to spend a lot of money remodeling to make a bathroom look expensive. Simple tricks such as swapping out laminate flooring for neutral tile or stone, and replacing Formica with granite or wood, can make a huge difference on a small renovation budget. "These days there are more choices than ever," says Meyersohn, who also advises that renovations be on par with the overall value of the home.

************************************************

Want to learn more about home buying and home finance? If so, you won't want to miss
our online discussion with industry experts,
"What Works Now: Smart Moves When Buying a Home,"
created by AOL Real Estate in participation with Bank of America Home Loans.
Watch it now on AOL Real Estate.

************************************************

Want to learn more about home buying and home finance? If so, you won't want to miss
our online discussion with industry experts,
"What Works Now: Smart Moves When Buying a Home,"
created by AOL Real Estate in participation with Bank of America Home Loans.
Watch it now on AOL Real Estate.