• In the summer, a well manicured lawn and cleanly swept walks.

• Please remember to edge along the sidewalks.

• Snow and ice removed from walks and driveways.

• Freshly painted front door and mailbox -- Replace front door screen if necessary

• Yard and driveway free of clutter.

• Clean windows.

• Trimmed trees and shrubs.

• Broken outdoor steps repaired.

The following tips help bring a higher selling price:

• Fresh paint wherever possible.

• Clean ventilating fans in the kitchen and bath.

• Kitchen floor in like new condition.

• Absence of clutter on kitchen counters.

• Dripping faucets repaired.

• Clean towels in the kitchen and bathroom.

• Loose knobs, warped drawers and sticking windows/doors repaired.

• Fireplace cleaned and filled with logs.

• Working light bulbs and switches -- especially in basements and closets.

• Caulking in tubs and showers in good repair.

• Excess furniture removed and stored elsewhere.

• Excess clothing removed from closets and stored elsewhere.

• Make your home as appealing as possible.

• Open draperies and curtains and turn on all lights (darkness depresses and makes rooms seem small)

• Turn off television sets. Turn on the stereo; playing some soft, low-keyed music is pleasant.

• Put cats or dogs in the yard.

• Fresh flowers whenever possible make a good impression (if it's winter, display a picture of your yard in full bloom).

• Don't volunteer to answer unasked questions ("This is a family neighborhood" really DOES turn off some buyers).

• Remove dirty dishes.

• Please make beds when possible.

• Try to stay in one area of the house when it's being shown (Your presence, or your children's, will make the buyer uncomfortable, and he/she will miss noting the fine features of your home).

• Let the Realtor who is showing your home answer any questions or objections.