When selling your home, there are a number of steps you can take to accomplish that goal more quickly.

Your Realtor, a real estate professional who belongs to the National Association of Realtors, will have a lot of helpful hints to make your home easier to sell, but here are some general things to keep in mind:

• First impressions are lasting. The front door should be fresh and clean, and the yard should be neat and cleared of any toys or debris.
• Make certain that your home is clean and appealing. If the walls look dingy, paint or re-paper them.
• Fix any dripping faucets. They discolor sinks and add to your plumbing repair bills.
• Fix any loose knobs, sticking doors, windows, and drawers. Failure to do so may be interpreted as a sign of neglect.
• Bathrooms are a selling point: make certain that everything is shining. Clean and repair bathtub and basin caulking. Clothing and personal items should be put away.
• Make certain the kitchen and all appliances are spotless.
• Cluttered rooms look smaller than they are; remove excess furniture.
• Closets and storage areas can look larger by disposing of items you don't need and storing the rest neatly. Clearing them out now will also help you when you move!
• If paint on the exterior trim is peeling, it's time to get out the paint brush.

Once you get everything in shape, here are some additional points for showing your home:

• Before the prospective buyer arrives, create a cheerful atmosphere by opening drapes and curtains. Make certain the temperature is comfortable throughout your home.
• Avoid having too many people present. Potential buyers may feel like intruders and hurry through.
• Unless pets are quiet, peaceful and well-behaved, get them out of the way.
• Soft background music may be acceptable, but turn off blaring stereos, radios and televisions. They can only impede discussions.

• Silence is golden. Too much talking on your part can only distract from the buyer's inspection of your home.
• Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it's been lived in. Let your Realtor react to comments.
• It's a good idea to stay in the background -- better yet, get out of the house. Your Realtor is trained to sell your house, is familiar with the buyer's needs, and can point out the significant features of your home.

Is all this effort worthwhile? Simply consider that you are competing for the buyer's attention with other families who also are selling their homes at the same time. Time and effort invested to make certain that your home is shown in its best light will not only give you a competitive edge, but will also help you get the best price for your home.