We don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. Most buyers look for homes that are well cared for and bright. A small investment in time and money will give your home an edge over other listings in the area. CHECKLIST FOR FASTER SALES Lawns and yard: remove clutter and litter, cut grass, edge walks, trim hedges, weed gardens, rake leaves. Front of house: the front door is so important: paint, fix or wash it as well as railings, steps, and screens, polish hardware, make generally tidy. Other exterior: wash side and back doors, gutters and windows, repair fences. Garage: empty it out as much as possible, paint, fix or wash doors and windows. Plumbing: repair dripping faucets, leaky toilets. Heating/cooling: clean visible parts of the systems, replace furnace filter. Halls and stairs: remove any clutter to give wide appearance. Hardware: oil hinges, tighten door knobs and faucets. General condition: dust, wash, paint, fix defects, replace burnt light bulbs. Consider the feeling of spaciousness; store unneeded items to "enlarge" room sizes and clear off counters and stove.   CRITICAL ITEMS Kitchen: stove, fridge and sink should be spotless and all work areas clear. Bathrooms: neat, spotless and fresh. Repair and calk around tub. Closets: untidy and overcrowded closets suggest inadequate storage space, store any items not immediately in use - you're planning on moving anyway!     HOW YOU CAN HELP ME Children, pets and adults can keep buyers from feeling at ease while they look through a home. For showings, please be out of the house if possible. Tell me which rooms benefit from sunshine or cooling breezes. Tell me what you like about the house, the yard, the location. Turn on all lights and any gas fireplaces for the entire showing. Open drapes in the daytime, close them at night. Open windows in warmer weather. Strong cooking or smoking odors can ruin a sale. Make sure your home is fresh for showings.