Anyone who has sold a home knows what a daunting process it can be. Whether you can't wait to get into a place that better suits your needs, you are parting reluctantly with a house you love, or you need a speedy return on an investment, the pressure can certainly mount quickly, especially if the market isn't in your favor. Below are some tips that can help alleviate the strain, and make the selling process smoother, faster, and more profitable for you.

First, take stock of your situation. There two types of things that directly affect how long your house stays on the market and how much prospective buyers are willing to pay for it: those you can't control, and those you can. Things you can't control (or at least can't control without considerable expense) are:

• Location
• Size / Layout
• Style
• Current market conditions
• Area comparables

Things you can control are:

• Representation
• Price
• Cosmetics
• Staging
• Landscaping/ Curb appeal