People usually decide within two minutes whether they like your house. The first impression is often the lasting impression. And they start forming their opinion before they even walk in the front door.

So it is smart to ask yourself if your house is as presentable as it can be for a faster sale at the best price. The best way to find out is to imagine you're a prospective buyer. You've probably been looking at other homes, so approach your present home the way you look at other houses.

Your real estate representative will do all of the things necessary to bring in the prospects-but when it comes down to the nub of it, your house is going to have to help sell itself.

Here are the 50 time-tested tips Gulf Coast Title Partners suggests to make your home more presentable. A good rule to follow is to do cosmetic things, which will improve your chances of selling, but avoid making major changes unless they will increase the value of your home more than the cost of the improvement.

CLEAN UP, FIX UP, PAINT UP OUTSIDE

1. Invest in landscaping where it can be seen at first sight. A well-manicured lawn, neatly clipped shrubbery and cleanly swept walks create a good first impression.

2. An extra shot of fertilizer, in season, will make your grass look lush and green.

3. Cut back overgrown shrubbery that looks scraggly or keeps light out of the house.

4. Paint your house if necessary. This can probably do more for sales appeal than any other factor. If you decide against painting, at least consider touching up front shutters and window frames.

5. Inspect the roof and gutters. Any missing shingles to replace? Gutters and down spouts in place? Need paint or repair?

6. Consider putting flowers outside the front door.

7. Repaint the front door.

8. Put a bright coat of paint on your mailbox.

9. Repair broken outdoor steps.

KITCHEN

10. The kitchen is the most important room in the house. Make it bright and attractive. If dull, paint cabinets and put up perky new curtains.

11. Clean the ventilating hood in the kitchen.

12. If the kitchen floor is badly worn, put down new flooring. Replace any loose tiles. To remove a loose tile, first soften the adhesive by applying heat with an iron covered by a soft cloth.

13. Remove any appliances that you keep on your counters. Clean counters make the room look larger.

BATHROOM

14. Repair dripping faucets.

15. Keep fresh towels in the bathrooms.

16. Use special cleaning products to remove stains from toilets, bathtubs, sinks and showers.

17. If sink and bathtub drain slowly, unclog them.