First impressions are the key to selling your home, and staging your home will result in a faster, more profitable sale. These tips may help.

• The exterior of your home is essential, because it's what the buyer sees first. Remove all debris, keep the lawns and gardens well trimmed and maintained. Good curb appeal is a critical part of the home selling process.

• Touch up exterior paint if necessary.

• Make the front entrance of your home clean and attractive.

• Make windows sparkle inside and out including your skylights.

• Clean gutters and point downspouts away from the foundation.

• Clear patios and decks. Put a pot of bright flowers on your porch.

• Put a fresh coating on your driveway.

• Keep all bathrooms clean and orderly. Remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs and shower stalls. Use coordinating towels to add color.

• Clean the kitchen thoroughly, leaving very few items on the countertops. Keep appliances clean at all times.

• Paint interior rooms if they are dingy or tired looking. Neutral colors are a good choice to aid in resale value.

• Have your carpets cleaned and wood floors waxed. Clean the grout and reseal if necessary. Have the drapes cleaned or removed to let the light filter in.

• Make sure all doorknobs and cabinet pulls are clean and in working order.

• Repair leaky faucets.

• Rent a storage unit if you need more room to store extra possessions.

• Arrange where/how pets will be secured during showings. Crates are your best option.

Taking time to get the house ready to sell is an important way to show buyers you care about the home and its condition.

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