Faded walls and worn woodwork will reduce the appeal of your home. Why try to tell a prospect how your home could look...when you can show him a reasonable amount of redecoration? A quicker sale at a higher price will result. Invest in wallpaper in the kitchen or bathroom. It will pay dividends for you.

Open those drapes and curtains all the way, so the prospect can see how bright and cheerful you home is.

Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.

Take a few minutes to check to be sure that your doors don't stick or have loose knobs on them. Don't forget your windows and cabinet drawers. Get all those minor flaws fixed since they detract from your home's value.

Keep stairways clear and clean since this will avoid injuries around your home, as well as avoid detracting by distraction.

Display you attic, basement, and other utility space (including crawl spaces) by removing all unnecessary articles. A coat of paint can do wonders if your basement is dark and dreary.

Make them look bigger by having them neat and well organized to show that your home has ample closet space.

Make these rooms sparkle! Check and repair any damage or discolored caulking in the bathtubs and showers, and be sure that the towels and area rugs are bright.

Keep these rooms bright and cheerful. Remove any excess furniture and be sure and use attractive and colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains.

Your home's illumination can be a "welcome" sign to that prospective buyer! Turn on all of your outside and inside lights when showing your home at night and he'll feel a glowing warmth as a result of your lighting.

But not the potential buyer. When showing your house, turn off that blaring radio or television.

A dog is "man's best friend," but not when showing your home. Keep all pets out of the way and not underfoot.

Be courteous and friendly, but don't try to "force" conversation with a potential buyer. He's there to inspect your home.

There's no place like home. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. If any objections or derogatory comments are offered, let me answer them - that is my job.

I know the buyer's needs and desires and can better emphasize the virtues of your home when you're not "tagging along." If there are any questions, we will call you.

Trying to sell the prospective purchasers any of the furniture or furnishings which you're not taking with you, before they've purchased your home, can often lose the sale...so "cool it."

Let me discuss the selling price, terms, possession and other factors with the customer. I've been trained and have experience, so let me bring your negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.

I recommend that I show your home to prospective customers only by appointment. This will be sincerely appreciated and will help us make the sale more quickly. And it also allows me to pre-qualify buyers which will save you a lot of time dealing with "lookers".