Tips for a smooth home sale Remember: First impressions count. When you are selling your house, the more you can do to make it look good, the better. Start a checklist of everything that needs to be done to your house before the "For Sale" sign is stuck in the lawn. Don't overimprove. If your job requires frequent relocations, making a lot of upgrades on your house doesn't necessarily mean you'll recoup the money you spent when you sell it. If storing household goods, plan ahead. Let the movers know which boxes you need immediately and which boxes are going into storage so they can pack the moving truck appropriately. Arm yourself with information. before you start looking for a new home, ask the real estate agent you selected in your destination city to provide you with information about schools, churches, banks, crime, etc. Investigate the neighborhood. Before you buy a house, check out the surrounding neighborhood. Is the house close to shopping and major roads? Are the schools good? Buy a house to sell. When buying a house, remember that eventually you may be selling it. Ensure that your house continues to maintain the character of homes in your neighborhood. How to help kids through a transfer