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

1. First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh, clean and scrubbed looking. Keep the lawn trimmed and edged and the yard free of refuse. Walks, steps, and driveways should be clear of snow, ice, and debris.

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 a little redecorating can show it? A quicker sale at a higher price will result.

3. Let the sun shine in. Open the draperies and curtains to show how cheerful your home can be.

4. Fix the faucet! Dripping water discolors 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 the 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 basements by painting walls.

7. Safety first. Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearance and possible injuries.

8. Make closets look bigger. Neat, well ordered closets show that space is ample.

9. Bathrooms help sell homes. Repair all caulking in showers and bathtubs. Make this room sparkle.

10. Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and curtains.

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 having too many people present during inspections. 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 on the radio or stereo.

14. Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way, preferably out of the house.

15. Silence is golden. Buyers want to inspect your house, not pay a social call. Don't force conversation.

16. Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. Let the trained salesperson answer any objections.

17. In the background. The salesperson knows the buyers requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along.

18. Why put the cart before the horse? Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to the potential buyer before the buyer has purchased the house often loses a sale.

19. Don't oversell. You house will sell itself if it's what the buyer is looking for.