The smartest home sellers get their residences into "model home"

condition. That means cleaning out closets, having a garage sale or

perhaps calling the Salvation Army to haul away your reusable items.


     Some realty agents even recommend hiring professional home "stagers"

who will remove the seller's old furniture and replace it with showroom

rental furniture.


     The key to a successful home sale, especially at this time of year, is

to hire the best realty agent. Ask friends, neighbors and business

associates for their recommendations.


     Also visit nearby open houses to meet agents who are selling

neighborhood homes. More important, you'll want to see how they treat

prospects and inspect their competitive listings.


     Check the newspaper classified ads for homes for sale in your

vicinity. Then phone the three or four agents who seem most successful in

selling nearby homes. Ask them to give you their listing presentations.

They will be eager to do so.


     Be sure to have a list of questions for the agents you interview. Here

are five key questions to include:


     1. What do you think my home is worth?


     After each agent inspects your residence, he or she should prepare a