Bloomberg reports that the Federal Reserve is expected to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2006. However, because the rise is likely to be gradual, homeowners hoping to sell their homes while interest rates remain low aren’t panicking. With relatively low inventories, it’s currently a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean every seller is making top dollar when selling their home. Our homes are typically one of our greatest assets, so use these latest insider secrets shared by realtors around the country to maximize profits when selling your home.

• Use an expert — Homeowners focused on maximizing profits from their home often try to sell it themselves. However, your chances of selling your home more quickly and for more money increase substantially using a professional with the skills, marketing, and networks seldom possessed by homeowners. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median selling price in 2014 for agent-assisted home sales was $235,000, a full 13% higher than the $208,700 median price of for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) home sales.
• Improve your curb appeal — First impressions play a huge role in attracting a buyer. Paint
  the front door, mow the $235,000, a full 13% higher than the $208,700 median price of for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) home sales. First impressions play a huge role in attracting a buyer. Paint the front door, mow the lawn, trim the bushes, pull the weeds, and set a couple of flowering plants in the entry for an inviting look.
• Stage your home — Crowded rooms, old furniture, outdated window coverings, etc., can distract or put off buyers. Staging a home helps buyers visualize a clean, modern, open look, and could be as easy as removing or rearranging some furniture for a better flow. For more ideas, go to HGTV: Home Staging or 30 Can’t-Miss Home Staging Tips.
• Declutter — A key part of staging is decluttering. Experts tell us the old “50%” rule is out; if you want to sell your home, eliminating 50% of the trinkets, family pictures, and collectibles on your walls may not be enough. You’d be better off to eliminate 90%-100% and replace those items with a few select pieces of artwork, plants, and accent pieces. Don’t take your clutter to your new home; donating it is a great way to help others while simplifying your life and your move.For more suggestions, see this checklist: Prepare to Sell Your Home: Declutter.
• Wow your buyer — Attract a buyer with hot selling features like mounted flat-panel TVs, multimedia equipment, prewired surround sound, projectors with screens, or a small LCD TV in the kitchen to help sell the cook on your home! Adding a few extras can broaden the appeal of your home when compared with others in the  area. Example: Jake had a lot of competition in his neighborhood. To command top price, his realtor recommended investing $3,500 to install flat-screen TVs in the major rooms. He had multiple offers within five days of the open house, all at or over his asking price.
• Think outside the box — With most sellers just focused on price, here’s where you can stand out. Rather than reducing the price of your home by thousands of dollars, creatively think of one or more extras to motivate buyers to select your home. Here are some “bonus” suggestions thathave worked for our readers without making drastic cuts in the price: season tickets to watch the local sports team, a trip to Hawaii, a riding lawnmower for a big yard, an ATV for the kids, a golf cart, a used boat for a water property, an inexpensive electric vehicle, etc.
• Kitchens sell homes — The kitchen is one of the most important rooms to a potential buyer. If you can’t afford — or don’t want to invest in — a total remodel, these simple changes can entice a buyer to make an offer: declutter your countertop and cabinets, replace an old sink or outdated hardware, paint tired-looking cabinets, exchange old lighting with modern fixtures, and replace linoleum with low-cost tile.
• Clean out your closets…and yes, that means all of them! — Again, back to the importance of decluttering. Pack what you want to take and have a garage sale to eliminate the rest. You’ll make some extra money and won’t end up filling your new home with old stuff.
• Paint your walls — Go for neutral. Get rid of that dated orange bathroom or the hot pink kitchen. A fresh coat of neutral paint can make everything look clean and appeal to the broadest market. Also consider painting an old smoke-stained fireplace to give it a fresh look.
• Wallpaper — If you’ve covered every wall surface with terrific wallpaper from decades past, get rid of it. Most buyers can’t see past it and know it’s going to be a major project to remove. Example: Lilly tried to sell her home for 13 months. Their agent stated the house was priced right, but the wallpaper was a major distraction. She reduced the asking price $13,000 below the other homes in the area to entice a potential buyer to ignore the wallpaper. The new owners paid less than $2,000 to refinish all the walls, meaning Lilly lost a lot of money by not solving this problem before she listed her home.
• Add houseplants — Spending $20-$50 on healthy-looking houseplants can add some color and give your home a warm, welcoming appearance.
• Create an outdoor oasis — Add subtle outdoor lighting, speakers, or some flowering plants with some lawn chairs to attract buyers who enjoy an environment conducive to relaxing or entertaining. Create a carefree outdoor living experience by adding stylish cushions to bring drama to older patio furniture, or by including a high-end grill, a hot selling item today for those who enjoy cooking outdoors.
• Don’t forget the cookies — This tried-and-true strategy works. For a nice smell, bake a small batch of cookies before open houses or showings.
• Know what you need — Before setting your price, consider what you’ll need to make the cost of selling your home work for you. How much do you owe on your mortgage? What are the realtor’s fees? What other closing costs and taxes will you pay? How much will inspections, an appraisal, and potential repairs cost? Will you need to give an allowance for old carpet replacement, removing wallpaper, or other repairs the buyer will need to make?
• Consider the cost if it doesn’t sell — How much more will it cost you each month in mortgage payments, insurance, repairs, taxes, etc., if your home doesn’t sell? There’s no sense in sticking to a higher price if, ultimately, you’re losing money every month.

It’s amazing, but real estate agents constantly report that many sellers today aren’t using these simple steps to sell their home more quickly…and for more money. Use these strategies and be the first in your neighborhood to wow prospective buyers!