• A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects.
• So does a freshly painted - or at least freshly scrubbed - front door.
• If it's winter, shovel the walkways.
• The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.
• Find a landscaper or painter to help.

Here's your chance to clean up in real estate:

• Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen.
• If your woodwork is scuffed or the point is fading, consider some minor redecoration.
• Fresh wallpaper adds charm and value to your property.
• If you're worried about time, hire professional cleaners or painters to get your house ready.
• Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look "with a little work."
• Find a cleaning service or handyman to help.

• Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.
• Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark.
• Don't let little problems detract from what's right with your home.
• Find a plumber, electrician or general contractor to help.

• If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect's mind.
• Don't try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away.
• A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.
• Find a handyman to help.

• Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps; roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights.
• Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.

• Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space, they're looking for storage space, too.
• Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.
• Find a contractor to help.

• The better organized a closet, the larger it appears.
• Now's the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.

• Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine.
• Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers.
• For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower curtains.
• Find a contractor to help.

• Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms.
• For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture.
• Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.

• Let the sunshine in!
• Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.

• Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside - when showing your home in the evening.
• Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.

• Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people.
• Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they're likely to hurry through.
• Keep the company present to a minimum.

• Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you're showing your home.
• Pets have a talent for getting underfoot.
• So do everybody a favor, keep Tiger and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.

• Rock-and-Roll will never die, but it might kill a real estate transaction.
• When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn down the stereo or TV.

• Be friendly, but don't try to force conversation.
• Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of distraction.

• No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings.
• If a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment about your homes appearance, let your experienced RE/MAX Achievers Associate handle the situation.

• Nobody knows your home as well as you do, but RE/MAX Achievers Sales Associates know buyers - what they need and what they want.
• Your RE/MAX Achievers Associate will have an easier time articulating the virtues of your home if you stay in the background.

• When prospects come to view your home, don't distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need - you may lose the biggest sale of all.

• When prospects want to talk price, terms, or other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert - your RE/MAX Achievers Sales Associate.

• Your RE/MAX Achievers Associate will have an easier time selling your home if showings are scheduled through his or her office.
• You'll appreciate the results!