Know when is the best time for selling properties, how much you can get, and be honest about the condition of your property.

61. Am I missing the sugar?

Before you even sit down to word that ad for the papers, think about the ingredients of the recipe for successfully selling of your house. There are five ingredients you need to have, according to Barb Schwarz, a successful realtor.

Lets take the first ingredient: location.

You cant physically uproot your house to take it to a better location. Note that the price of your house must realistically reflect its location.

62. Have you been negligent?

Second ingredient for a successful sale: Condition.

Remember that this is where a professional inspector and a thorough personal inspection by you can make a lot of sense. Schwarz said that the upkeep of the property is a crucial factor in obtaining the highest possible price for a home. Price, like location, must reflect a houses condition.

63. How much do I want?

Third ingredient: Price.

This is the no. 1 deciding factor in the sale or no sale of a house. There's a belief among real estate circles that a house is really only worth what a buyer is willing to pay a seller to gain ownership of that house.

Price must have a direct correlation to all the other ingredients for a successful sale. Never mind what the listings or other people say. If your house is overpriced, you wont have any offers, or else it may take a long time to receive offers.

64. Will the buyer ask for flexibility?

Fourth ingredient: Terms.

The more terms you have on the property, the more potential purchasers you reach. Again, the price of your house must reflect the kinds of terms available to purchase it.

65. Is this a good time to sell?

Fifth ingredient: Market.

Market conditions are influenced by key factors such as interest rates, supply and demand of houses in your area, competition and the general state of the economy.

Real estate is a cyclical phenomenon. The beginning of 2000 witnessed a surge in home building. All of a sudden homes were being sold faster than contractors could build them. When there's a real estate boom, this is an excellent opportunity to make a killing!

66. The truth will come out

So keep those five ingredients uppermost in your mind at all times. Now you're ready to word that ad.

Be honest. Don't say you have a house in excellent condition when your inspection report has a long list of deficiencies and repairs your house will require.

Don't say you have 3 full bathrooms when you really have only two bathrooms and one powder room. A powder room, as we all know, does not qualify as a full bathroom.

Also, don't say that you live in a quiet neighborhood when in fact your house is located near a university campus where you hear students partying all night. If you mention that your house has an alarm system, it better work.