Setting the right selling price for your car is the single more important step in the car-selling process. You don't want to price yourself out of the market, yet you don't want to leave money on the table either. Here's some tips to help you set the right price.

START WITH THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE. Kelly Blue book is the bible of buying and selling used cars. You can check the hardcopy or online to find out the starting point for where to price your car. Almost everyone, buyers and sellers alike, consults this book before selling or purchasing a car. So if your price is way over the KBB value, your car is going to sit in your driveway for a long time.

BE REALISTIC ABOUT THE CONDITION. The Kelly Blue book lists different prices for various conditions of the car. Be realistic with yourself. Does everything in the car work like new? What condition is the interior in? Have you been smoking in it? If you're realistic with the condition, you can set a much better price.

RESEARCH. The internet is one of your best friends when selling your car. Check out every car-related website you can find, including eBay, craigslist, and any consumer reports sites.

SEARCH LOCALLY. People pay different prices for cars in New York than they do in rural Montana. The most accurate information you can find will be near to where you live.

BE PREPARED TO HAGGLE. Most people want to haggle over the price of a used car. If you absolutely HAVE to get $4000 for your car, you can't set that as the price. If you're unwilling to haggle a little, buyers will think you're stubborn and walk away from the sale. You need to allow yourself a bit a wiggle room to negotiate.

Setting the price of your used car is the single most important part of the process. Being realistic, fair, and smart will largely determine whether your car sells quickly or sits around and collects dust.

Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
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