Getting ready to list your home with a real estate agency? Congratulations! You're taking a big step in your life, and hopefully it's to move on to bigger and better things.

In many cases, before the agent ever sets foot on your property, they'll run a market analysis to arrive at an initial valuation of your home. The actual price can be adjusted up or down before the listing is finalized - that's a matter of negotiation, comparable sales, agency expertise, and other factors.

Regardless of these, there are a few things you'll want to do for your home before it gets listed, to make sure the house brings you as close to your asking price as possible. And renovation projects aren't included! Remodeling magazine, in its 2006 survey with the National Association of Realtors, found that "minor kitchen remodels" have the best return on investment, at 85.2%.

So you won't get the full value of your investment back! Focus on speed instead. Because the longer your house is on the market, the less desirable it becomes - and the more likely you'll have to lower your asking price.

1. Finish up your improvement projects - both large and small.

Not remodeling! More like fixing dripping faucets, loose doorknobs and cabinet handles, painting touch-ups ... you get the idea. Anything you don't do, the new owners will have to do. And the more you leave for them to do, the less they'll be interested in buying.

2. Get your yard sale or garage sale out of the way first.

Less clutter is more attractive to buyers - and you don't want to be rushing to get rid of stuff on your last weekend in your house, do you? Or running out of room on the moving truck with two more rooms left to load? This will not only help you sell faster, but also help you plan for your move more easily.

3. Call your local planning office.

Make an appointment to have someone come out to check for any compliance issues due to code changes, especially if there's been any major remodeling done to the house. For some, the idea of bringing in a government official means asking for trouble, and that it's better to let sleeping dogs lie, so to speak. Truth is, it's better to handle any issues before a sale, rather than have potential buyer's home inspector find a problem and scuttle a deal in progress.

4. Give your property a less-than-extreme makeover.

Don't call the landscaper unless you've got a total disaster on your hands. More than likely, a single weekend day will be all it takes to boost your "curb appeal." Any more than that, and you start getting into doing more work for less of a return. Then, spend your other weekend day looking at the inside of your home. Anything you can do to create a more "open" feel and flow to your home will make potential buyers more interested in taking the next step.

Selling a home is something most people do at least once in their lifetime. It's a huge financial transaction, and one you want to end well. By doing everything you can to ensure your home is ready to sell before the listing goes live, you'll help to make sure the selling process goes that much faster - and results in as much value for you as possible.