Many retirees are counting on funds from the sale of their home to supplement their Social Security checks and sustain their lifestyles going forward. But how can they time their sale to maximize return?

At this point in the economic cycle, that's a tricky question, says Aaron Terrazas, a senior economist with Zillow, the real estate data company. Although houses are now selling quickly in many popular communities, some owners worry that if they sell too soon, they'll miss out on future price gains.

But no matter your decision on timing, Terrazas urges you to plan ahead.

"It's never too early to get a sense of what your home is worth," he says.

Here are a few pointers for sellers:

-- Don't wait to gain intelligence on the value of your home.

Terrazas says you may wish to interview up to three local real estate agents to get their assessment of your property's value and to learn what repairs and upgrades are necessary to make the most of your sale.

"Sometimes having more than one perspective makes sense," he says.

Those who get a head start on their sale can make sure they avoid a last-minute crisis that forces them to move before they're ready, says Sid Davis, a real estate broker and author of "A Survival Guide to Selling a Home."

Davis entered the real estate field in 1984, and in those early years he recalls how clients would typically call for help at least three months before they needed to sell. Now he says many wait until just a few weeks before they must move.

"Ideally, (agents0 need a minimum of 90 days or longer, even in a fast-moving market," Davis says.

Once you know you're definitely going to move, Davis says it's prudent to commit to the listing agent of your choice.

An agent with ample notice of your selling plans can better advise you on the steps you'll need to take to achieve the best possible outcome.

"Arranging for contractors on a non-emergency basis can save you cash, and careful pricing can mean more proceeds at the bottom line," Davis says.

-- Seek out data on selling times.

How can you estimate the time needed to go from list to sale?

Dorcas Helfant, a former president of the National Association of Realtors (realtor.org), suggests you ask your agent for statistics on the average selling times for homes in your community.

"The only numbers that count are the ones for your immediate neighborhood. Beyond that, the statistics aren't relevant," Helfant says.

Take these numbers, known as "days on market," and chart them over a six-month period. If selling times are gradually increasing, this could indicate a cooling of demand and should signal caution to prospective sellers.

"If you determine that your market is gradually slowing down, you'll want to allow yourself extra selling time to ensure a smooth transition," Helfant says.

-- Begin packing as soon as you know you'll be moving.

Davis contends that most home sellers procrastinate on the property preparation process.

"Even when they have extra time, it's human nature to wait until the final inning to mobilize. Most of us rely on deadlines to get going," he says.

Besides painting and repairs, nearly all homes need to be purged of clutter to show well. Your first step, Davis says, should be to remove any excess furnishings that crowd your interior space. Then box up smaller items and place them in your garage or a rented storage unit.

"By beginning as early as possible to clear out clothes, furniture and other items that you rarely use, you enhance your chances of fully completing this task before your place goes up for sale," Davis says.

-- Give yourself extra selling time when moving to a brand-new home.

Nowadays, some homebuilders are willing to sign a sales contract with a prospective buyer that's conditional on the sale of the buyer's property. This is a type of contingent contract.

"Some people, including retirees, get so wowed by a model home in a new development that they'll sign a contract before unloading their old place," Davis says.

A contract conditional on the sale of your present property may not obligate you to go through with the purchase. But if you can't sell your current property on time, you might lose both the new house and your deposits, he says.

Because it can take months to construct a new home -- and it's not unusual for builders to take longer than expected -- some new home buyers wait longer than they should before putting their property on the market, according to Davis.

"But remember, this is a one-way street. The builder can be late but you can't or you'll be thrown in a risky situation financially," he says.

Many real estate agents urge their home-selling clients to allow extra marketing time when they're buying a brand-new property with a contingent contract.

"The reality is that many homeowners, including those moving to a new property, are scared that if they sell sooner than expected, they'll be left homeless. Yet in most cases, that's a needless fear. In a worst-case scenario, you can move in with relatives or take a short-term rental," Davis says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

In many popular communities, houses on the high end are selling at a leisurely pace. But in the starter-home category, the supply-demand ratio is very much in the seller's favor.

"We're seeing starter homes sell even before they hit the multiple listing service," says Pam Gebhardt, a veteran real estate broker.

In past years, first-time buyer households were unwilling to even consider a "fixer-upper." But that's now changing in desirable areas where entry-level properties are scarce.

Gebhardt tells the true story of some clients in their mid-20s who want to live in an up-and-coming city neighborhood. To gain entry into the coveted neighborhood of their choice, the couple is now considering a house that would require extensive remodeling work. It's a duplex the current owners attempted to convert into a single-family home, but didn't finish the job.

Are you planning to sell an entry-level property in poor condition? If so, these pointers could prove of value:

-- Seek a seasoned agent for frank advice and wise counsel.

Owners planning to market a run-down home are wise to seek out a listing agent willing to serve as a project manager, says Eric Tyson, a personal finance expert and co-author of "House Selling For Dummies."

"Not all agents will give you unvarnished advice and direction on steps you should and shouldn't take to get your house ready for market. But the right agent will spare you costly errors," Tyson says.

Ashley Richardson, a longtime real estate agent affiliated with the Council of Residential Specialists (crs.com), says a skilled agent should give you a list of doable tasks.

"For example, you wouldn't want to put high-end cabinets into the kitchen of a house that's in overall poor condition. But you might want to have your current cabinets repainted," she says.

As the first step in the agent-selection process, Richardson recommends you interview three candidates, asking each to critique your home and itemize cost-effective steps that would make it more saleable.

"You want someone who will look you straight in the eye and tell you the truth, not someone who just tries to flatter you into giving them the listing," she says.

-- Solicit help with the de-cluttering process.

As Richardson says, many owners trying to sell a home in bad condition feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the work facing them. De-cluttering is an especially daunting prospect for those with health problems.

"Sellers who can't do this work themselves should ask family members and friends to help," she says.

But what if no volunteers step forward? In such cases, Richardson suggests that owners may wish to hire students or others looking for temporary, part-time work.

"Post an ad asking for help 'pre-packing for a move.' And be sure to check background references on any stranger coming into your house," she says.

Richardson recommends you give the person you hire a series of manageable tasks.

"For example, tell them to pack up the contents of your china closet or an overloaded bookshelf. Tell them to put the packed boxes in your garage in neat stacks," Richardson says.

It may seem counterintuitive for the owners of a home priced for an "as is" sale to bother with the removal of clutter. But Richardson says it's essential.

"No one will buy a house if they can't even see how large its rooms are. People can't see past a lot of clutter," she says.

-- Give potential buyers a feel for your home's possibilities.

Though most owners of property in poor condition lack the funds for major improvements, Tyson says it's important that they make their place at least minimally appealing.

"Nearly all buyers now preview properties online. If they don't like what they see there, they're unlikely to go visit the place, even if it's priced well and located in their perfect neighborhood. That means any house that can't pass the online test will likely be overlooked," he says.

Besides clearing out your clutter, you'll want to remove any beat-up furniture or window coverings that make your place seem dark and drab. Your agent may have a stock of furnishings to lend you that would make your place look fresher.

In addition to cosmetic touches, Tyson says the owners of a run-down home should consider providing visitors with mock-ups and contractors' estimates for needed improvements.

"Always remember that most people are devoid of imagination -- meaning they'll need help to envision how great your house will look once all the necessary work is done," Tyson says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

People age 35 and younger represent the single biggest share of the home-buying market. Spurred by near record-low interest rates and rising property prices, many in this age group are now eager to buy a place. But most remain highly resistant to the purchase of a "fixer-upper."

"Most (millennials) have little extra time or inclination to take on a lot of routine maintenance, let alone big home improvement projects," says Tom Early, a real estate broker who twice served as president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (naeba.org).

Karen Rittenhouse, a real estate investor and author of "The Essential Handbook For Buying a Home," says many first-time buyers who face affordability challenges have no alternative but to choose a fixer-upper or retreat from the market altogether.

Rittenhouse's investment company is no longer doing much direct home improvement work itself, she says, "because rehabbing is exhausting."

Here are a few pointers for buyers who aspire to ownership of a low-upkeep home property:

-- Search for a single-level property for easy cleaning.

Sid Davis, a longtime real estate broker and author of "A Survival Guide For Buying a Home," says the demand for single-story houses is increasing rapidly, especially among aging baby boomers who have trouble climbing stairs or expect to face that limitation in coming years.

Beyond their investment potential, single-level properties offer advantages in terms of routine upkeep.

"As anyone who has to clean a multi-level house can tell you, that takes a lot more energy and time," Davis says.

-- Research the possibility that a condo-apartment could meet your needs.

The quest for a low-upkeep home means more people are now considering condo communities, where exterior maintenance is done for them, says Early, who helps his clients grasp the pros and cons of condo living.

But Early says it's important to carefully research the financial aspects of a condo community before committing to buy a unit there.

"You'll want to know that the owners' association has put money into an escrow account to keep up with such improvements as painting ... along with the eventual replacement of the roof," Early says.

Prior to investing in any condo, he urges you to read through the minutes of the condo association's meetings for the last two years.

"The minutes could tip you off about repair problems and indicate if there are any lawsuits pending against a former management firm, for example," he says.

-- Purchase a place where perfectionists now reside.

Are you planning to buy a home where you expect to live for just three to five years? If so, buying a home from maintenance-minded owners could let you coast on their quality upkeep. Their place will probably be in good repair, including all of the appliances.

Those who baby their homes are usually also meticulous about pruning their trees and manicuring their flowerbeds. Still, Early warns against thinking you could get by with their good landscaping habits for very long.

"A well-kept yard needs near constant attention, either from you or the landscaping crew you hire," he says.

-- Include brand-new houses in your search.

Not all new subdivisions are created equal. Some new homes will give you years of maintenance-free living, while others could mean headaches from the outset.

A dedicated real estate agent should be familiar with both new home and resale options in the area where you're looking.

Early believes that builders who add custom features to the homes they construct usually give buyers a better product than do those who mass-produce houses cookie-cutter style.

How can you find a builder with a quality edge?

"One approach is to ask those already living there. Tell them you wish to know whether they're satisfied with the quality of construction in their subdivision and if not, why not," says Early.

Home inspectors could also provide you with a solid assessment of the builder's practices.

"A well-trained home inspector usually knows which local developments will give you problems and which (will) stand the test of time," he says.

-- Consider an "almost new" home if a brand-new one is unavailable.

As Early says, those who buy a brand-new home can sometimes enjoy nearly carefree living for up to 10 years. But if you've chosen a neighborhood where there are no brand-new homes available, you might consider a nearly new place, meaning it's under five years of age.

"There's no guarantees that any house will free you from upkeep worries or let you sleep well at night without worrying that your roof won't leak and your appliances won't break down. But your odds are better if you buy a youthful place," he says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)