Don't over-price your home.

Most home owners have an emotional attachment to their home and feel it is worth more than it usually is. Ask your agent for a market analysis for homes that have sold recently in your area. Also ask for homes that have expired (good indicator that the price was too high), currently pending, contingent and those that are STI (subject to inspection).

Next... have your realtor check out the competition. Go and view a few homes that are currently "active" or "contingent" in your price range. You may find that the homes that sold for more have several upgrades that your home doesn't offer.

Listing agents market and promote your home to the hordes of other local agents who do work with homebuyers, dramatically increasing your personal sales force. During the first couple of weeks your home should be a flurry of activity with buyer’s agents coming to preview your home so they can sell it to their clients. If the price is right.

If you and your agent have overpriced, fewer agents will preview your home. After all, they are Realtors, and it is their job to know local market conditions and home values. If your house is dramatically above market, why waste time? Their time is better spent previewing homes that are priced realistically.

If you start out with too high a price on your home, you may have just added to your stress level -- and selling a home is stressful enough.