LIVING AREAS

18. Have all plaster in top shape. Cracks (or nail-pops, visible seams in dry walls) are easy to fix.

19. Check ceilings for leak stains. Fix the cause of the damage, repair the ceiling and paint.

20. In painting and redecorating, avoid offbeat colors-stick to conventional white and easy-to-work-with pastels inside.

21. Faded curtains or bedspreads can be dyed bright colors.

22. If you have a fireplace, clean it out and lay some logs in it to make it look inviting.

23. Wash windows.

24. Replace broken glass.

25. Mend torn screens.

26. Check to see that all windows will open and close.

27. Replace burned-out light bulbs. Use brighter light bulbs.

28. Make sure every light switch works.

29. Make the floors shine; clean and polish them. And nail down any creaking boards or stair treads. (Drive two long finishing nails at opposing angles through the floor and sub-floor into the jost.)

30. Straighten up the closets-get rid of excess items. Use air freshener to eliminate musty odors. Lubricate any sticky or squeaking doors.

31. For doors that stick slightly, rub a block of paraffin against the surface that shows signs of wear.

32. For sliding doors that stick in their tracks, rub the tracks with paraffin or candle wax.

BASEMENT, ATTIC, GARAGE

33. Clean out attic, basement and garage and dispose of everything you are not going to move. Any package everything you won't need until you're settled in your new home.

34. Make sure there is plenty of light on the stairs to the basement.

35. If your basement is dark and gloomy, paint ceilings and walls a light color.

36. Repair cracks in the basement floor with ready-mixed concrete.

WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS BEING SHOWN

37. Keep room draperies and shades open to let in light. This also makes rooms appear larger.

38. Have your home well-lit during showing.

39. At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting in back if you have it.

40. Neatness makes a room look bigger. Avoid clutter.

41. If possible, leave your furniture and rugs in the house while showing it.

42. Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on counters.

43. Keep any toys in the children's rooms. Bikes, wagons and skateboards should be made as inconspicuous as possible.

44. Keep radio, stereo, TV off or turned way down.

45. Take your family away if your broker is holding an open house.

46. Children should be quiet.

47. Refer direct inquires you receive about seeing your house to your Realtor to take advantage of his or her professional skills in selling your home.

48. Don't mention furniture or furnishings you wish to dispose of unless asked. Such discussion can kill the sale.

49. Take pets outdoors when your house is being shown.

50. Let the real estate expert show your house, and don't tag along. Answer questions candidly when asked, but don't offer answers to unasked questions.

AND NOW A WORD ABOUT THE NEXT HOME YOU BUY

Now that you have been a home owner, you know what a valuable investment real estate is and will want to protect the title to your next home with a policy from Gulf Coast Title Partners.

Your mortgage lender will insist upon a title policy to protect the lender's investment in your property. However, this policy will insure only the lender against title defects that might affect the security of the mortgage loan-not your investment!

You will need a Gulf Coast Title Partners owner's policy to protect your investment. Your Realtor will advise you to request an Owner's title insurance policy at the same time that the lender's policy is ordered. There are cost savings when both are ordered together.

And, unlike most other forms of insurance, you pay for a Gulf Coast Title Partners form of insurance policy just once! It costs far less than you think, and this relatively modest charge insures you for as long as you and your heirs own the property.