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With a little help from you, your home can be sold more quickly and at a better price. These 20 tips have proved invaluable to owners and are worth your special attention:

1. First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh, and clean looking. Keep lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse. Walks, steps, and driveways clear of snow or ice.
2. Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell the prospect how your home could look, when you can show him by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result.
3. Let the sunshine in. Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be. (When you do this you may find that window cleaning is a good idea).
4. Fix the faucet! Dripping water discolours sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.
5. Repairs can make a big difference. Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed.
6. From top to bottom. Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements by painting walls.
7. Safety first. Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
8. Make closets look bigger. Neat well ordered closets show that the space is ample.
9. Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle.
10. Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Have beds made and use attractive bedspreads.
11. Can you see the light: Illumination is like a welcome sign. The potential buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights.
12. Three's a crowd. Avoid being present during showings. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
13. Music is mellow. Turn off the television and have only soft music playing.
14. Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way, preferably out of the house.
15. Silence is golden. If you need to be home during a showing don't force conversation with the potential buyer. They want to inspect your house, not pay a social call.
16. Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained salesperson answer any objections.
17. In the background.  If you need to be home during a showing remember that the Buyers Agent knows the buyers' requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home. You will be called if needed.
18. 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 may lose a sale.
19. A word to the wise: Don't oversell. Your house will sell itself if it's what the buyer is looking for.
20. Remember the golden rule. Treat your prospective buyer the way you would want to be treated if you were in their place, you will never go wrong.