When you are showing your home to prospective buyers, first impressions are the most lasting and the most important to its sale. Any time or money spent on cleaning, repairing, and removing clutter will maximize its appearance. This can result in a faster sale, and increase selling profits

Ways to Maximize Curb Appeal

Since the exterior of your home is the first thing a prospective buyer sees, a little time and effort here can pay big dividends and make a big difference in the impression your home gives to the perspective buyers. Here is a checklist to make sure your home's exterior looks its best:

	The lawn should be well cut and neatly trimmed with garden areas weeded
	Trim shrubs.
	Cut down and dispose of dead trees and branches.
	Neatly store lawn equipment.
	The roof, gutters and downspouts should be in good repair.
	Wash screens, windows and window sills. Cracked windows and torn screens should be replaced.
	Insure that doorbells and front lights are in good working order.
	A new paint job, well done, will enhance the sale value more than the cost of the paint.
	Use driveway cleaners to remove oil stains from driveways, and garage floors.

Your home's exterior, clean, orderly and in good repair, will leave a lasting impression with the new home buyers.

Help the Buyers Mentally "Move In"

Review each room of your home, observing it as though you are a potential buyer. Start with a full housecleaning from top to bottom. Dirt and clutter can obscure your home's good points. Store unused or unnecessary items in closets and storage areas, and use the following checklist to make sure it's ready to show:

	Repair sticking doors, windows and warped drawers.
	Remove badly worn furniture
	Clean walls of fingerprints and repair dents.
	Shampoo rugs and carpets.
	Wax floors.
	Repair any broken light fixtures.
	Repair leaky faucets.
	Keep kitchen neat and clean.
	Remove clutter from steps.
	Tighten loose stair banisters.
	Organize closets, shelves and drawers to display spaciousness.
	Neatly hang clothing and arrange shoes.
	Clean bathrooms until they sparkle.
	Repair tub and shower caulking.
	Clean and neatly organize the basement, attic and garage.
	Strategically place mirrors to create an impression of added space in problem areas.
	Insure good lighting to make your home seem more cheery and spacious.

Last Minute Advice

Here are some last-minute details that will maximize your home's selling potential when the house is shown to possible buyers:

	The television and radio should be turned off or low enough to allow talk, free of interruptions.
	Send children and pets outdoors to play.
	Bad odors should be eliminated. Use air freshener before the potential buyer arrives, especially if you have pets or the house has been closed up for some time.
	Store wood next to the fireplace. In winter, light a fire.
	Wash all dirty dishes and put them away.
	Magazines and children's toys should be in order.
	Plants should be watered and appear healthy.