Lori Shrum, owner of April Grace Interiors, has these tips for home sellers readying their property for sale:

"When selling your home, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Here are some tips on "staging" your home to show it to potential buyers in the best possible light.

Cleaning: I recommend you go well beyond your normal weekly cleaning, and do a deep cleansing of every surface, window, nook and cranny so they all sparkle and shine. Don't forget the ceiling fans, carpets, and blinds. Also, if you have pets, be aware of potential pet odors. You might even consider asking friends or relatives to care for the family dog or cat while you market your home.

Clutter: Minimize knicknacks around the house, and furniture as well, to make rooms appear open and inviting. Countertops should be clean and uncluttered. A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally move their own things into the space. You might even thin out cabinets and drawers.

Depersonalizing: Buers will try to envision themselves living in every room they tour. You can help them do that by removing most or all of your family photographs and personal collections.

Decoratong & Upkeep: In the house, fresh flowers or rearranging some furniture can have a positive impact without breaking the wallet. A fresh coat of paint will do the same. In the bathrooms, remove unnecessary items from counters, tubs, and showers. Coordinate towels to one or two colors only. When showing, have all lights on, and have an FM radio station playing light background music.

Outside, keep the lawn mowed and fertilized, and prune trees and shrubs. Keep your trash cans out of sight, as well as any scrap wood, building materials, etc. A nice potted plant by the front door makes the home seem more inviting!

Maintaining: You can take all the steps mentioned above, but if you do not maintain ot every day until your home sells, it is a waste of time and energy. Everyone in the family must commit to keeping the home spotless as long as it's on the market.The payoff will be a quicker sale at a higher price, and the extra effort will have you moving in a much shorter time! Good luck, and best wishes for a quick sale!"