If you’ve ever been on a cruise ship, you know that rough waters can result in a miserable experience. Even on modern ships equipped with stabilizers, choppy seas and bad weather can leave you stuck below deck – and possibly seasick.

In fact, the expression “smooth sailing” comes from a desire for calm waters. And that is definitely what you seek when it comes to selling a home.

You’ll want the experience to be as problem free as possible, while also having plenty of qualified buyers interested in your listing. In the end, you’ll want the transaction to be completed without a hitch.

So how do you ensure that happens? Here are some things you can do to help:

Don’t think of it as your home — think of it as a product – Potential buyers are more likely to become interested in a product that looks clean, uncluttered, and well-maintained. Make sure the front entrance is inviting and keep closets half-empty and organized. If you are in a house, make sure the exterior is appealing (shrubs and flowers go a long way with this).

Accurate Pricing is Key – If it’s listed too high, potential buyers won’t come. If it’s listed too low, you may leave money on the table (potentially thousands). Setting the price will be one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make when selling your home.

Leave the premises during showings – As your real estate agent, I will take buyers through your property and show them all the great features. If you’re there, some buyers may not feel comfortable and may leave before they have had a chance to become interested.

Flexibility is Essential– This is especially important when it comes to showing appointments, negotiations, home inspections, closing dates, etc. It’s okay to be firm on some things, just not everything.

With these tips in mind, you can better tame choppy waters that may arise and hopefully smoothly sail into a sale.