Our local real estate market is inching closer and closer to the busy season, which means a lot of sellers are getting their properties ready to sell at this moment, or at least they should be! Many of you have probably heard of a punch list, and for those of you who have not, it's a common tool used to organize a list of all the needed alterations before your house hits the market. Some common tactics most agents would recommend include: removing any excess furniture and items that you no longer want to keep, pack up personal belongings and photos, freshen up your landscaping as well as any additional de-cluttering deemed necessary. On top of those basics, I would recommend ordering a pest inspection and getting bids for any necessary repairs to the home. After doing this, you'll have a more accurate idea of your homes true value and can prepare for the different possibilities of negotiating. Once you've crossed the last item off the punch list you can then have listing photos and videos taken and start filling out the seller's disclosures. At this point you are ready to list your home and can start to take the next step on your life's journey!