There is a lot more to hiring a real estate agent than simply going with and trusting the 'Hire us because we're great' routine. A lot more.

Here are 10 costly mistakes many sellers (and agents!) commonly make that can add up to thousands of lost dollars and months of wasted time when you sell your home...or cause it not to sell at all.

1. Not researching the pros and cons of the market before you start to sell.

2. Not adequately considering the 'timing' of your sale.

3. Not taking into account the 'total market inventory' when positioning your home for sale and determining your asking price.

4. Not knowing how to properly 'detail' your home, to create the appearance of a 'model home' to attract immediate interest from both buyers and agents.

5. Hiring a real estate agent based upon supposed expertise of a particular area.

6. Not thoroughly understanding real estate financing, contract, & negotiation skills - whether you sell the home yourself or hire agent representation.

7. Allowing a real estate company to 'buy your listing' with an inflated and unrealistic sales price.

8. Hiring an agent or company based on image, i.e., 'we're number one, the biggest, the best, more visible.'

9. Believing a real estate 'license' means real estate 'expertise' and trusting that 'expertise' to get your home sold without a solid, demonstrated marketing plan that you can understand.

10. Getting 'locked into' a long term listing agreement simply on the basis of being told, 'it is company policy.'