51 HOME SALES TIPS

So it is smart to ask yourself if your house is as presentable as it can be for a faster sale at the best price. The best way to find out is to imagine you're a prospective buyer. You've probably been looking at other homes, so approach your present home the way you look at other houses.

Your real estate representative will do all of the things necessary to bring in the prospects--but when it comes down to the nub of it, your house is going to have to help sell itself. Here are the 51 time-tested tips Chicago Title Insurance Company suggests to make your home more presentable. A good rule to follow is to do cosmetic things which will improve your chances of selling, but avoid making major changes unless they will increase the value of your home more than the cost of the improvement.

CLEAN UP, FIX UP, PAINT UP OUTSIDE

• Invest in landscaping where it can be seen at first sight. A well-manicured lawn, neatly, clipped shrubbery, cleanly swept walks create a good first impression.

• An extra shot of fertilizer, in season, will make your grass look lush and green.

• Cut back overgrown shrubbery that looks scraggly or keeps light out of the house.

• Paint your house if necessary. This can probably do more for sales appeal than any other, factor. If you decide against painting, at least, consider touching up front shutters and window frames.

• In winter, walks should be free of snow and ice.

• Inspect the roof and gutters. Any missing shingles to replace? Gutters and down spouts in place? Need paint or repair?

• Consider putting flowers outside the front door.

• Repaint the front door.

• Put a bright coat of paint on your mailbox.

• Repair broken outdoor steps.

KITCHEN

• The kitchen is the most important room in the house. Make it bright and attractive. If dull, paint cabinets and put up perky new curtains.

• Clean the ventilating hood in the kitchen.

• If the kitchen floor is badly worn, put down new flooring. Replace any loose tiles. To remove a loose tile, first soften the adhesive by applying heat with an iron covered by a soft cloth.

• Remove any appliances that you keep on your counters. Clean counters make the room look larger.

BATHROOM

• Repair dripping faucets.

• Keep fresh towels in the bathrooms.

• Use special cleaning products to remove stains from toilets, bathtubs, sinks and showers.

• If sink and bathtub drain slowly, unclog them.

LIVING AREAS

• Have all plaster in top shape. Cracks (or nailpops, visible seams in dry walls) are easy to fix.

• Check ceilings for leak stains. Fix the cause of the damage, repair the ceiling and paint.

• In painting and redecorating, avoid offbeat colors--stick to conventional white and easy-to-work-with pastels inside.

• Faded curtains or bedspreads can be dyed bright colors.

• If you have a fireplace, clean it out and lay some logs in it to make it look inviting.

• Wash windows.

• Replace broken glass.

• Mend torn screens.

• Check to see that all windows will open and close.

• Replace burned-out light bulbs. Use brighter light bulbs.

• Make sure every light switch works.

• Make the floors shine; clean and polish them. And nail down any creaking boards or stair treads. (Drive two long finishing nails at opposing angles through the floor and sub-floor into the joist.)

• Straighten up the closets--get rid of excess items. Use air freshener to eliminate musty odors. Lubricate any sticky or squeaking doors.

• For doors that stick slightly, rub a block of paraffin against the surface that shows signs of wear.

• For sliding doors that stick in their tracks, rub the tracks with paraffin or candle wax.

BASEMENT, ATTIC, GARAGE

• Clean out attic, basement and garage and dispose of everything you are not going to move. And package everything you won't need until you're settled in your new home.

• Make sure there is plenty of light on the stairs to the basement.

• If your basement is dark and gloomy, paint ceilings and walls a light color.

• Repair cracks in the basement floor with ready-mixed concrete.

WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS BEING SHOWN

• Keep room draperies and shades open to let in light. This also makes rooms appear larger.

• Have your home well-lit during showing.

• At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting in back if you have it.

• Neatness makes a room look bigger. Avoid clutter.

• If possible, leave your furniture and rugs in the house while showing it.

• Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on counters.

• Keep any toys in the children's rooms. Bikes, wagons and skateboards should be made as inconspicuous as possible.

• Keep radio, stereo, TV off or turned way down.