Selling your home in this tough economy is very challenging. You are competing against a lot of sellers and there are only very few buyers in the market. This is why you have to work harder to make sure that such buyers are going to notice your property.Should you work with a real estate agent?Yes. In this type of market, you need all the help you can get. You are probably competing against the experts in the market anyway. This makes it essential that a competent seller’s agent represent you. In addition to that, he is well connected with other players in the market, giving you the exposure you need. Moreover, an agent is well versed in terms of negotiating and marketing properties. You should take advantage of that.The necessary preparations:You need to prepare several things. First, you have to improve the curb appeal of your property. Assess how your home exterior looks. Make the necessary repairs. Check the pathways driveways and outdoor furniture. You also have to make sure that the yard is clean. Remove unpleasant items and eyesores. If you have an old couch that is sitting at your front yard, remove it. You can replace it with a new simple bench instead. Painting the exterior is also a way of improving the curb appeal of the property.You also have to stage your home properly. You do not have to hire a professional to do this. You can do it by yourself. If you are clueless of where to start, begin with the clutter at home. Dispose them to free the space indoors. You also have to remove old and damaged furniture. This will not only free some space but also get rid of the items that will discourage buyers from purchasing your home.Prioritize the repairs indoors as well. Make sure that your home is in good condition before you sell it unless you want to sell it at a very cheap price. Making improvements in the kitchen and bathroom is also a great way to attract buyers. Changing a few fixtures and repainting the walls can make a lot of difference.Arrange your home properly to make it look bigger and more spacious. You can research about how you can organize your home to make it more attractive. There are several online guides as well as information from lifestyle and architectural magazines.You should also remove personal items from the property. Keep family photos, trophies and certificates because buyers will not be interested in them. This will also make it hard for them to see themselves living in that house.Advertising your home:Having an agent is surely a lot of help when advertising your property. He will be able to include them in different listings. You can also do your share of advertising your home. You can post it on local newspapers, in social network sites, on your car and the like. Make sure to take good photos of the property to be included in the advertisement. This will give the buyer an idea of how your property looks.Successful marketing starts with planning. See to it that you carefully plan it to ensure that you find the perfect buyer.