Selling your home is one of the most important steps in your life. This 9 step system will give you the tools you need to maximize your profits, maintain control, and reduce the stress that comes with the home selling process.

The reasons behind your decision to sell affect everything from setting a price to deciding how much time and money to invest in getting your home ready for sale. What's more important to you: the money you walk away with, the length of time your property is on the market or both? Different goals can dictate different strategies. However, don't reveal your motivation to anyone else or they may use it against you at the negotiating table. When asked, simply say that your housing needs have changed.

Settling on an offering price shouldn't be done lightly. Once you've set your price, you've told buyers the absolute maximum they have to pay for your home, but pricing too high is as dangerous as pricing too low. Remember that the average buyer is looking at 15-20 homes at the same time they are considering yours. This means that they have a basis of comparison, and if your home doesn't compare favorably with others in the price range you've set, you won't be taken seriously by prospects or agents. As a result, your home will sit on the market for a long time and, knowing this, new buyers on the market will think there must be something wrong with your home.

(In fact, your agent will do this for you) Find out what homes in your own and similar neighborhoods have sold for in the past 6 months, and research what current homes are listed for. (Not Zillow or Trulia, as these estimates can be very off). That's certainly how prospective buyers will assess the worth of your home.

Nearly three-quarters of home owners claim that they wouldn't use the same realtor who sold their last home. Dissatisfaction boils down to poor communication which results in not enough feedback, lower pricing and strained relations. Look for testimonials or other references.

You may be surprised to know that some marketing tools that most agents use to sell homes (eg. traditional open houses) are actually not very effective. In fact, roughly 1% of homes are sold at an open house. Furthermore, the prospects searching for information on your home value their time as much as you do. Today's buyers don't want to spend their time driving around searching for open houses. With today's technologies, it is more relevant to make your homes information available online with detailed photo tours and information available 24-7. Remember, the more buyers you have competing for your home the better, because it sets up an auction-like atmosphere that puts you in the driver's seat.

In the negotiation process, your objective is to control the pace and set the duration. What is your buyer's motivation? Does he or she need to move quickly? Does he or she have enough money to pay you your asking price? Have the buyer(s) been pre-approved or approved from their mortgage lender? Knowing this information gives you the upper hand in the negotiation because you know how far you can push to get what you want. (keep in mind, these are all things that the agents will know or find out ahead of time).

Studies have shown that it is more difficult to sell a home that is vacant, because it looks abandoned, forgotten, empty, and simply not as appealing. It could even cost you thousands in wasted mortgage payments. If you move, you're also telling buyers that you have a new home and are probably highly motivated to sell fast. This, of course, will give them the advantage at the negotiating table. (low offers)