Your home is an investment, and now is the time to help it pay off.

Chances are you've been attached to your home for quite a while. You've prepared meals, hosted gatherings, spent holidays, and relaxed on the sofa with great movies within those walls.

But once it's time to sell, you need to step back and look at your home as an investment that you're ready to cash in. If you want to improve your chances of getting the asking price and maybe boost your property value a little bit, too, here are a few tips that can really help:

#1: Learn to Think Objectively

Being realistic about the house you're about to sell will help you get the most out of it with the least amount of disappointment. TV personality and real estate pro, Josh Altman, told Today Home that sellers should listen to the real estate agent. Remember, the best price possible benefits her, too.

Pricing in the right range will help your home's chances of selling faster.  

#2: Price Your Home Realistically

There are a couple of strategies that real estate agents recommend for pricing your home. First is pricing it above the market, which gives you room to negotiate without dropping too low for comfort. But the other method is pricing is slightly below market, which Altman says can sometimes boost lookers and hasten a sale.

#3: Make Your Home Impersonal and Spotless

Family photos top just about every real estate agent's list of things to put away before an open house. What you want is for potential buyers to walk through the front door and instantly envision themselves living there. But that's hard to do with family photos and other personal items on the walls, end tables, or anyplace else. And it goes without saying that your home should be spotless every day.

If your closets are full, it's time to send some things to storage.

#4: Ditch Personal Style and Opt for Staging

There are professionals who make their living staging homes for sale, but you can do it if you have a keen eye. Staging is an art, and it's one that can reap great rewards in the long run. HGTV  calls it highlighting the pros and downplaying the cons.  It involves clearing out everything that doesn't fit (putting some things in storage, if necessary), and dressing your home as if it is a model house. While you're at it, make room in the closets so they look more spacious.

#5: If You Must Upgrade, Focus on the Kitchen

Kitchens have a high return value, so almost any upgrade that you make will help boost your home's value. If you have the budget, Altman recommends granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, because that's what home buyers have come to expect in nicer homes.

An inspection isn't glamorous, but it can point out things that need attention.

#6: Think About a Home Inspection

A home inspection might not be the fun part of selling a house, but it can certainly be worth its weight in gold. The added value of a gorgeous kitchen might be counteracted by a lurking problem elsewhere in the house that you didn't know existed. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be to sell.

#7: Improve the Lighting

Good lighting can make a fair home look great. And in the same vein, murky lighting can make any home look dingy, dull and almost sad. LED lights are extremely bright, and can liven up every room in the house. They cost a bit more, but they're worth it.

Selling a home can be one of the most stressful experiences you'll ever go through. But if you walk into it with your eyes open, both you and your home will be better prepared.

If you're interesting in learning what your property is worth as it stands right now, you can do that, too. It's the perfect starting point for anyone looking to sell. An eppraisal home valuation can give you a home value estimate, which is based on several factors that affect all homes in your neighborhood. And it doesn't cost a penny. Click here for free property valuation today.