1. First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is clean and windows are clear. Keep the lawn trimmed, edged and the yard free of junk, trash and debris. Have your landscaping looking fresh and crisp. Plant flowers when you can and make the yard(s) look inviting.

2. Keep your house neat, clean and smelling fresh. Your prospective buyer will be immediately turned off by a dirty, smelly home. The cleaner it appears, the more it looks like you have taken good care of your home. Conversely, if your house appears dirty, it looks worn out and old. No one will want to take the chance on buying your house feeling it is in bad shape.

3. When your house looks like it is in "Move In" condition, your prospect will be more apt to close quickly. Decorate a little. Paint the walls. Why try to tell the prospect how your home could look, when you can show him by making it look perfect in the first place? A quicker sale at a higher price will result. An investment in new kitchen decor will pay for itself at first glance.

4. Let the sun shine in. Open draperies and curtains. Turn on all the lights, especially in dark areas like closets, storage areas, utility rooms and basements. Let the prospect see how bright and cheerful your home is.

5. Fix leaky faucets, toilets and plumbing. Dripping water suggests faulty plumbing and can end a sale quickly. The new home owner doesn't want to buy a fixer upper. Unless, of course, you expect to sell your house at a fixer upper price!

6. Home inspections are a normal routine of a buy-sell contract. Your buyer will expect to you to get obvious items repaired BEFORE he/she closes on the sale. Why not make these repairs before a potential buyer sees your house in the first place. YOU WILL most likely have to repair these items anyway. Get them fixed before you show your house.

7. Don't offer a carpet allowance. Go ahead and replace it. What could be better than to see and know the carpet is brand new! Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers arid other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed.

8. Display the full value of your attic, storage and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles. (Rent a storage unit if necessary) Make closets look bigger. Get all that stuff in storage! Neat well-ordered closets show that space is ample.

9. Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries

10. Bathrooms help sell homes. Repair caulking and stains in bathtubs and showers. Make sure these rooms are well lit and sparkle. Put some potpourri or air freshener in the room.

11. Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture and clutter.

When your agent shows your house

13. Three's a crowd. Avoid being present during inspections. I guarantee that a potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house. They tell us this when they leave. Potential buyers want to feel free to inspect your house.

14. Music is mellow. But not when showing a house. Turn off the radio and/or television. Let the salesman and buyer talk, free of disturbances.

15. Keep pets out of the way, preferably out of the house.

16. Silence is golden. Be courteous, but don't force conversation with the potential buyer. It's best if you're not there in the first place, however, if you can not leave, it's best to remain out of the way. They want to inspect your house and are not there to pay you a social call.

17. Never apologize for the appearance of your home, after all, it has been lived in. Let the trained Realtor answer any objections. This is his/her job.

18. The salesman knows the buyer's requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along. You will be called when and if needed.

19. Why put the cart before the horse? Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to the potential buyer before he/she has purchased the house often loses a sale.

20. Golden Rule #1. Let your Realtor discuss price terms, possession and other factors with the customer. He/she is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.

21. Use your agent. Show your home to prospective customers only by appointment through your agent. Your cooperation will help close the sale of your home more quickly.