ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM EMPTY NEST SYNDROME?

Learn how to LET GO and MOVE ON.

Whether it's our kids leaving "the coop" or a relationship that has soured, letting go of a home can be brutal.

Selling a home can be an emotionally-charged transaction, but it doesn't have to be. If you can put your emotions aside for a time and realize that the sale of your home is a business transaction – and stay in that mindset, you'll avoid the pitfalls we see so many home sellers contend with.

PITFALLS

There are several commonalities among home sellers who are attached to their homes. The first is that they tend to overvalue it for the market.

It's important to keep in mind that what you feel the home is worth doesn't equal what a buyer will think and it's the buyer that determines the value.

Be prepared for buyers coming in with lowball offers – these buyers aren't intentionally insulting you, but treating the transaction for what it truly is, a business deal.

Ditto when buyers appear to be criticizing your taste in décor, such as by asking you to remove the wallpaper in the kitchen or for new carpet.

No home is ideal for everyone, not even yours. When you approach the sale with less emotion, you'll be better able to let these unintentional slights roll off your shoulders.

FOCUS

Take photos of the home, especially those areas where you spend the most time and have built the most memories. Some homeowners will take a plant or even soil from the garden to plant at their new home (let me know if this is your plan because we'll have to move the plant to a pot before the home goes on the market).

Then, change your focus. Focusing on the future during the sale process is one way to alleviate that panicky feeling many get when they begin dwelling on the loss of their home.

Look to the future instead – where you're going next, how you'll furnish and use your next home.

Get excited about what lies ahead.