1. Remove all clutter. Visually simplify each room. Let a purchaser imagine their decor in your home. As well, you limit your market if your home is too strongly decorated.

2. Check your home for obvious issues like water spots on the ceiling and get them fixed. They will tip off purchasers or inspectors to a problem that may no longer exist.

3. Repair everything that needs to be repaired... do not renovate! Try to paint any major areas to brighten your home. Remember that most purchasers will want to see your home during the day and light is an issue. If the home needs too much work, then don't "throw good money after bad."

4. Make sure that all your appliances are in good working order. Most offers will ask that all appliances be in good working order. A four-burner stove must have four burners that work.

5. Clean the house and keep it that way. Make it sparkle! Most agents and purchasers will move the bath curtain to see whether you have mildew on your bathtub.

6. Do everything to make it inviting. Check your lighting. Make sure all your light bulbs work and make sure their levels are set higher than normal. Remember that you are not preparing for a romantic evening but a showing.

7. If exterior sounds are an issue, leave some music on. However, if you are a buyer and you hear music playing make sure that it is not covering some problem.

8. Be careful of dog or cat smells... especially clean the litter box everyday and make sure that there are no "presents" in the backyard for anyone to step in.

9. Wash all windows inside and out. Please hire professionals to do it. This is a big job and should be done safely with the proper equipment.

10. You may want to call a building inspector and have your house pre-inspected for as low as $350.00. This will alleviate any offers being conditional on building inspections and also give you some items that you may be able to address before listing.

11. Leave enough areas for people to wipe their shoes. Removing shoes can be an issue for some purchasers. Put a welcome mat in the front outside and inside.

12. Clean your yard front and back, wash down all decks and outdoor furniture. Set it up as if you were about to have a summer party.

13. In the spring, plant container grown bulbs and they add great color. Fill your front porch containers with hardy plants like pansies.

14. Wash your house outside with a strong spray. Sills have a tendency to collect dirt and debris.

15. Please take down your Christmas lights and tree. Check that all outdoor bulbs are working and provide enough light for agents to open lock boxes. When you list your home, these lights must be on every evening.

16. If you have a forced air furnace, treat yourself to having the ducts in your house cleaned, your furnace and air conditioner serviced and a new filter exchanged. It will bring down the dust and show you as a owner that performs general maintenance on a regular basis.

17. Flowers inside and out. Pungent flowers like hyacinth are great. Don't over do it, though, as some purchasers are also allergic.