Here are some important steps in preparing your home for sale.
1) Declutter. Remove all clutter from the home. You may have to rent a storage unit if you have many years of "stuff".
The cleaner the home, the better it will show.
2) Depersonalize. If you have lots of photos and pictures all over the house you may want to remove them so potentail buyers can envision themselves in the home, mentally making it theirs.
3) Curb appeal. Keep your yards mowed.