Whether it is your starter house or you've done it before, selling your home is one of the most stressful events in life. In fact, surveys found that selling a property is seen as more stressful than buying one. You can expect a lot of pain, anxiety and frustration as you go through the process. You may be dealing with solicitors and paperwork that seem to have no end. However, staying focused and positive as you navigate through this challenging phase is important. Take a deep breath and consider these simple yet useful ways to help you deal with the stress of selling your property.

1. Hire a realtor to sell your house.

When you hire a licensed real estate agent in your area, you have every right to certain expectations and requirements. The realtor will guide you through various business arrangements that will help you be at ease. Avoid hiring a relative or a friend to list your home at all costs, as it may add more tension in between. The process of listing and closing is tough enough without you worrying about any personal relations being affected.

2. Declutter your home.

Even before listing your house, get rid of the things you don't necessarily want to keep once you move. It will eventually help you clean and tidy your place. Never leave the dishes in the kitchen, keep up with the laundry and vacuuming, and clean the bathrooms thoroughly. If this is too much of a task for you, you may consider hiring cleaning help during this transition period. Keeping things tidy will help lessen the stress when you get a quick call from your realtor for a house showing for potential buyers.

3. Take a day trip or plan a vacation.

You may not consider it at first, but planning that vacation as soon as you list your house will work wonders. It is because the first few weekends your house is on the market is typically when it is going to get the most action. Plan a day trip or an all-day activity, such as a visit to a museum or a weekend getaway. If you are not living there, your realtor can schedule open houses and showings at any time of the day. You don’t have to drop everything to get out of the house for an unexpected showing. Think of this time as an investment on your personal well-being by getting your mind off the house sale for a bit.

4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

One of the best ways to manage stress when selling your home is adapting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Get plenty of exercise and sleep, eat healthy foods and drink more water. Walk for an hour every day or take your kids to the park and have a valuable time together. Those extra efforts will keep you physically and mentally healthy despite this tedious process.

5. Prepare as much documentation as possible.

Selling a house definitely involves a great deal of paperwork. Sometimes you’ll need to be ready to present all those documents at a very short notice. Preparing the necessary documents will save you tons of work and time as the selling continues. Get in contact with your solicitor, find your mortgage documents, and be certain you have copies of title deeds and other necessary papers, including energy performance certificates, planning permission documents, gas safety inspection certifications, and others.

6. Accept the facts and be flexible.

According to HealthStatus, any disruption of your routine causes stress. Moving disrupts the entire family, and you also have to deal with the packing. The longer your house is on the market, the more pain and frustration you will need endure. Even after all the cleaning and preparations you've done, always remember that selling a house takes time. There’s a strong chance that your home won’t sell on the first open house so remember to have realistic expectations. This could help alleviate the stress you're already experiencing. Stay positive and trust on your realtor and the value they've provided to your home.