Step 1:      How the Local Market Will Affect Your Sale
Hot or cold? A "hot" market is one in which there are more buyers than sellers, so the buyers are competing with each other and driving up prices.  In a cooler market, setting the price at or a little below market value is best, so that the house doesn't stagnate on the market.

Step 2: Use Comparable Houses to Set Your List Price
What is a "comp"? The best source of pricing information comes from houses directly comparable to your own. In the real estate industry, a "comparable," or "comp," is a house with similar features, preferably located near yours. When identifying comps, look for houses with the same number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and other amenities. Review actual selling prices.

Step 4: Make Your House Look Its Best
Before putting your house on the market, make it look as attractive as possible -- buyers will pay thousands of dollars more for a house they like the look of. Usually you don't need to do a major remodel, although a fresh coat of paint can brighten your home's prospects considerably.

Step 5: Fill out Any State-Required Forms
The buyer will probably shoulder the main paperwork burden in this transaction -- preparing the purchase contract. However, in many states, the seller is responsible for filling out a disclosure form, telling buyers what they know about the property's physical condition. For more information, see Required Disclosures When Selling Real Estate.

Step 6: Advertise on the MLS
Advertise on the MLS. If you're working with a real estate agent, the agent should help place put the property into the online Multiple Listing Service.

Step 7: Receive and Review Purchase Offers
With any luck, one or more prospective buyers will present a written offer to buy your house. (If you're in a hot market, you may want to set a deadline for receiving such offers.)Evaluate the offer or offers. Here's where your real estate agent can play an important role, meeting with the agents who present offers and helping you decide whether a particular offer is worth accepting. If you're choosing between more than one offer, don't assume you'll want to accept the one for the most money! A high bid with shaky financing, or one made contingent on the buyer selling his or her house first, may actually drop to the bottom of your pile. You don't want to enter into negotiations only to have them fall through.
Consider a counteroffer. If none of the offers you receive are acceptable, you can counteroffer, suggesting changes in terms or even a higher price.

Step 8: Closing the Deal
The signed purchase contract will include a closing date or time limit, usually several weeks in the future. During this time, the buyer will line up financing, inspections, insurance, and more. As the seller, your main duties will include:
making your house available for inspection negotiating with the buyer over repair issues that come up, and moving out your possessions.