As a working real estate agent, I’ve seen my fair share of books claiming to help sellers, but Sell Your HOME for More by Donna Burns genuinely surprised me with how practical, accessible, and, most importantly, honest it is. The book is a crisp, straight-talking guide for homeowners who want to get top dollar with the least amount of stress. Burns lays out everything clearly from prepping a home, to pricing it right, to hiring the right agent. What I appreciated most is how she doesn’t sugarcoat the work involved, but she also shows sellers where the payoff comes in, emotionally and financially.

What stood out to me, and hit close to home, was the section on curb appeal and the psychological weight of first impressions. I can’t tell you how many deals start or die at the driveway. Burns lays it out with punchy examples and even stats, like how a new garage door can return 103% ROI. I’ve told clients the same thing, and here it is, in black and white. She compares selling a house to going on a first date, if the roof’s a mess or the door’s chipped, the buyer’s already halfway out. That part made me laugh because it’s so true. She also dives into pricing mistakes, reminding sellers not to let emotion steer the ship. Her breakdown of the “Endowment Effect” and how sellers overvalue their own homes, yeah, I’ve lived that argument too many times. Burns explains it in a way that’s simple but backed by real psychology.

While I admired her thoroughness, some parts, like the long lists of what not to do or her deep dive into interior design suggestions, felt repeated. That said, her tone is warm and witty, which makes those sections easier to get through. And when she talks about hiring the right agent? Let’s just say I might have underlined that whole chapter. Her tips on how to interview agents and the traps to avoid, like hiring a friend or choosing someone just because they’re cheap, are solid gold. I’ve been in the room with folks making exactly those mistakes.

Sell Your HOME for More is not just for people ready to list tomorrow. It’s for anyone thinking ahead, even by a year or two. I’d recommend it to every homeowner I work with who wants to understand the process and make informed, profitable choices. It’s a guide I wish more sellers read before our first meeting. It might save us both a lot of time and make them a whole lot more money.

Pages: 87 | ASIN : B0F4TBWRNH