The kids are all gone and it’s time to downsize. You and your relatives have decided to move near the ocean and purchase a small beach house just for the two of you. But first, you have to sell your home in Nashville. You’ve decided to sell it yourself. It’s not as difficult as some believe it to be. "For sale by owner" can be a little scary, but here are a few suggestions to help you with your Nashville home for sale.

Clean up the outside.

Keep the lawn cut and manicured, keep leaves raked and surrounding sidewalks clean and clear of trash.

Clean up any dead limbs and leaves from shrubs and trees.

Consider adding flowers for color with either live or potted plants.

Have siding cleaned, and repaint any needed areas.

Clean and repair any fencing.

Keep any lawn equipment or toys put away while trying to sell.

Something as simple as upgrading your mailbox helps with curb appeal.

Clean, repair and/or replace gutters as needed.

Replace or repair shutters and shingles.

Painting window trim is a simple step and takes little time to complete.

Spruce up the inside.

Clutter is a real turn-off. There is a saying amongst real estate agents; if you can’t see the baseboard in a room, there’s too much clutter. Think of having a yard sale to rid your home of all the little unnecessary items cluttering that living room, kitchen and bedroom.

Dark colors can also be a deterrent. White walls and bright lights help to make rooms appear bigger and neater.

Put away as many items off of kitchen counter tops as possible. Again, by eliminating clutter, you increase the appearance of counter space, which can be a good selling point.

Clean and organize closets, washrooms and basements.

Repair any squeaks and loose banisters and cabinet doors.

Replace or tighten door knobs, light switch plates, and hinges.

Replace or fix any loose molding.

Now that you’ve spruced things up, it’s time to sell.

Set your price. Keep in mind other homes in your Nashville neighborhood when deciding upon an asking price.

Gather all the necessary forms and contracts needed to complete the sale. You can purchase For Sale by Owner kits at local stores like Staples or OfficeMax.

Invest in an inspection. This can give you a good idea of what the home inspector will say to the potential buyers.

Designate a third party to handle any deposits or moneys received from prospective buyers.

Advertise. There are several options out there from a yard sign that says FOR SALE BY OWNER to listing on various websites on the Internet.

Create your real estate fact sheet and keep on hand sufficient copies to hand out.

Plan and hold an open house.