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First-time seller?

5 tips for success

Thanks to the tax credit from a few years ago and today's low mortgage rates, there is no shortage of information on what to do as a first-time homebuyer. But, after you have bought your first home and are ready to sell for the first time, what's next?

Successfully put your house on the market by keeping these five tips in mind.

1. Know your place in the market. Access to real estate information online and through mobile apps and sites means buyers are walking into your home more educated than ever. To effectively market your home to these buyers, your real estate agent should be tech-savvy in his or her digital marketing efforts. Work with an agent familiar with tools including social media, Single Property Websites and mobile apps.

2. Be organized. Provide a buyer with your history of improvements, warranties and utility bills that shows that you have maintained your home. Coming to the table with an abundance of information and being transparent about your home can set you apart from other sellers.

3. Sweeten the deal. Is there a feature about your home that you absolutely love, but sadly has no place in your new home? Maybe you don't have the space for the top-of-the-line washer and dryer or that 152-inch plasma screen wall-mounted TV. Throw it into your selling package to give a potential buyer further incentive.

4. Make sure your home has curb appeal. Showcase your home's outdoor amenities, whether it's a front porch, a backyard patio or a child's play set. Work with your real estate agent to stage these areas so that buyers can visualize themselves there. Capitalize on your improved curb appeal by taking many photos to use in your online marketing.

5. Complete a simple facelift. Clear out clutter, add a fresh coat of paint, clean floors and windows, and move out furniture and other personal possessions to a storage unit. Your home must be clean and pristine and in show-ready condition. Buyers have to be able to picture their life in your home.

As you transition from a first-time buyer to a first-time seller, think about your home's standout features that first caught your eye. As you put your home on the market, play up those qualities. It is likely those same features will pique the interest of your home's next owner.

Chris Haran is director of strategic planning and initiatives for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in the Chicago area.