Today we’re diving into an important topic that could make a big difference in the amount of money you net from your home sale.

There is no denying that the Seattle real estate market is hot. There are more buyers who need houses than houses for sale. That means your home is in demand and it’s not even listed yet. This sounds like great news for you, and it is!

As a result, we know what potential sellers are thinking . . . Hmm, maybe we should just put a sign up in the front yard and see what happens.

The truth is, the worst thing you can do as a seller in a hot market is to do it alone. So, before you head to the local hardware store for that "For Sale By Owner" sign, keep reading.

We know you're doing the math and figuring out how much selling your home on your own could potentially save you, but we want to shed some light on a few important things to consider before you decide to go that route.

If you're looking to the internet to determine what price to list your home at, you could be losing a significant amount of money. Online home values aren't always entirely accurate, which means basing your list price on what the internet is saying could result in you leaving money on the table.

Contracts and negotiations can feel like a foreign language if you're not a real estate professional. Not understanding how to navigate this very important information, nor having an advocate working on behalf of your best interest could result in sticky situations and money lost.

When you're in a hot market, one of the greatest benefits to a seller is that they're in the driver's seat. When there are more buyers than listings for sale, your house can spark a bidding war when it hits the market. However, without an agent helping you prep your home for the market, pricing it strategically, and marketing it with professional methods, you're missing out on that demand. You might have a buyer or two but that isn't going to escalate the price like it would if you had someone working for you.

Our best advice we can give to someone thinking about selling is this: before you make the decision to do it alone, do some research and find an agent who has good reviews, comes highly recommended and has known expertise in your city. What does their experience look like? What are their clients saying? Then schedule a consultation with them to see how they can help you net the most money possible from your home sale.

Successful home selling is rooted in doing your research and making smart decisions that are going to position you in the best place possible when your house hits the market.