Make a lasting first impression. Curb appeal is vital. Make sure your lawn is neatly trimmed. Rake up an refuse or leaves. Sweep the walk. The front door should be clean and presentable. If the doorbell's not working, fix it.

Don't hesitate to decorate. Faded walls and worn woodwork won't sell your home. A small investment in paint or wallpaper will. Keep it neutral, your tastes may not be a buyers taste.

Let the sun shine in. Open the drapes and curtains. Clean the windows. Turn on the lights. Home buyers are drawn to bright, cheery interiors.

Call the plumber. Dripping water suggests worn out plumbing. Clean those rust-stained sinks and make sure the drains are running free and clear.

Details, Details, Details. Loose door knobs, Sticking drawers. Wobbly hinges. Stuck windows. They can all cost you a sale. Fix them, and they can make one.

Safety sells. Keep stairways and corridors clean and free of clutter. Cluttered areas are not only unattractive, they're dangerous as well.

Sell the whole house. Let prospects see the big picture. Make sure your attic is presentable, your garage is neat and your basement is organized. Give your storage space a clean coat of paint.

Buyers love big closets. And they look even bigger when they're clean, neat and well organized. Get rid of the piles of clothes, old cartons and other clutter.

Bathrooms are big sellers. Make bathrooms sparkle. Clean sinks and bowls. Recaulk where needed. Make sure towels and area rugs are freshly washed.

Wake up your bedrooms. Remove excess furniture. Use attractive and colorful bed linens and spreads. Open the drapes and let the light in. Remember: this is where you buyers spend on third of their lives.

Lighten up. Home buyers love the light. By day, let the sun shine in. By night, turn on all your lights - inside and out. Don't forget the accent and picture lights.

Avoid crowds. Home buyers hate crowds. When your agent shows your home, send the kids to the neighbors and take a long walk.

Silence is golden. When your house is being shown, turn off the radio, television, stereo or any other noise-producing source. It will make your agent's job easier.

Lose the pet. Make your pets disappear when your home is being shown. Your prospect may have different tastes in animals than you.

Stay in the background. Don't try to engage your prospects in conversation. Let your REALTOR® do his or her job - and let your buyers inspect without interruption.

Be prepared. You never know when your agent may need to show your home on a moment's notice. So make your beds and tidy up each morning, just in case.

No apologies necessary. Nobody's perfect. There's no need to apologize for the appearance of your house. Let your agent field any negative comments.

Sell the house. Period. Don't try to sell your prospect old furniture, appliances, lava lamps or anything besides your house. Save it for after the sale.

Leave it to the professionals. Let your agent discuss selling price, terms, possession dates or other such details. They've been carefully trained and will negotiate on your behalf.

Show by appointment only. Your REALTOR® can schedule all showings - including those from other real estate offices. All you need to do is make sure your home is ready to show.