e and there. Switches and plugs should be cleaned or replaced.

Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. They should be squeaky clean. All porcelin should be clean and shiny. Bathrooms should be well lit and free of odors. Woodwork and cabinetry should be freshly painted or stained. All fixtures and mirrors should be polished. Toilet and floors and appliances should be cleaned and in working order.

Surface coverings, such as linoleum countertops, may need to be updated.

Remove excess furnishings to avoid overcrowding of your home. While you may love that stack of National Geographics on the floor of your living room, all debris should be removed. Give the place a bright, airy feel. Put excess furnishings in storage if necessary. Closets should be uncrowded so as to give a feeling of space.

A cottage industry of "home enhancement" professionals has emerged in recent years. These people will come into your home and "redecorate" it for you, mostly using existing furnish

Many people are surprised to learn that taking care of a few things regarding the upkeep and presentation of a home can have a positive effect on the selling price of the home. So what can you do to improve the market value of your home? Here are some easy suggestions.

It is a good idea to get the property inspected by a neutral party. A property inspector will see things that you might miss, as you are "used" to them and see them every day. Your acclimation with your property can actually serve to work against you in these situations. A property inspection done early on can also avoid surprises come closing time, as any prudent buyer will have their own inspection performed.

Properties that are well maintained command both a higher selling price and quicker selling time.

Start with the outside. Nice landscaping and a well manicured lawn go a long way. Weed any beds, rid the area of unwanted grasses. Remember, first impressions are hard to overcome!

If your home is painted, consider a fresh coat of paint. If you are going to do this, be sure it is done correctly and by a professional. Existing paint that is peeling and blistered should be removed. A coat of primer should be applied and then the top coat professionally applied, so as to avoid overspray on eaves and window frames.

Repair gutters, shutters, and other outdoor accessories. Clear them of leaves and debris.

Consider replacing your front door. Have the door frame nicely painted or maintained. Remember, we are still working on a first impression here. The front entry way, porch, or sidewalk should also be in tip top condition. This may require a fresh coat of paint or water sealant, concrete treatment, or whatever is applicable to your particular situation.

Replace an unsightly mailbox and put out a fresh doormat. Polish or replace metal door fixtures or brass, and ensure the doorbell is in good condition and in working order.

Ensure all concrete and asphalt is in good condition. This would include the driveway, garage, and carport. Oil stains from crankshafts should be removed. Badly cracked or potted asphault may need to be torn up and replaced. The same would go for badly cracked sidewalks or other concrete groundcover, that may have been disturbed by tree roots, water, or time.

Air conditioners should not be rusted or otherwise unattractive. Paint all exposed surfaces.

Any outdoor living areas such as patios or decks should be populated with attractive furnishings, and perhaps accented with potted plants. Pools should be clean, sparkling, and the filtration equipment should be attractive and in good working order. It might be necessary to drain the pool to repair any cracks or have the surface repainted.

Pay particular attention to windows. Panes should be well maintained and freshly painted. Windows should slide open and closed smoothly and without much effort. Broken glass should be replaced, all screens should be free of rust, holes, and tears. No window should be without a screen. Prune flora near windows so as to allow the free flow of sunlight into the home. A bright home will be more attractive to a buyer than a dark, gloomy home. Windows should be sparkly clean.

Doors should also open easily, and not make loud noises. Oil squeaky parts and polish or replace metal accessories such as hinges, knobs, and locks. Screen doors should be in as good condition as possible. Sliding glass doors should be clean and slide easily, and have locking mechanisms that are functional.

Walls should be clean and freshly painted. Wallpaper should not be peeling or faded.

Carpets should be cleaned or replaced, especially if pets have lived in the home. Nobody wants to move into a home that smells of a barn. Hardwood floors should be in good condition, and any ceramic tile floors should be clean and not cracked.

All light bulbs should be working. Fixtures should be updated and fit with the decor of the home. Consider adding some halogen lighting here and there. Switches and plugs should be cleaned or replaced.

Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. They should be squeaky clean. All porcelin should be clean and shiny. Bathrooms should be well lit and free of odors. Woodwork and cabinetry should be freshly painted or stained. All fixtures and mirrors should be polished. Toilet and floors and appliances should be cleaned and in working order.

Surface coverings, such as linoleum countertops, may need to be updated.

Remove excess furnishings to avoid overcrowding of your home. While you may love that stack of National Geographics on the floor of your living room, all debris should be removed. Give the place a bright, airy feel. Put excess furnishings in storage if necessary. Closets should be uncrowded so as to give a feeling of space.

A cottage industry of "home enhancement" professionals has emerged in recent years. These people will come into your home and "redecorate" it for you, mostly using existing furnishi

sider a fresh coat of paint. If you are going to do this, be sure it is done correctly and by a professional. Existing paint that is peeling and blistered should be removed. A coat of primer should be applied and then the top coat professionally applied, so as to avoid overspray on eaves and window frames.

Repair gutters, shutters, and other outdoor accessories. Clear them of leaves and debris.

Consider replacing your front door. Have the door frame nicely painted or maintained. Remember, we are still working on a first impression here. The front entry way, porch, or sidewalk should also be in tip top condition. This may require a fresh coat of paint or water sealant, concrete treatment, or whatever is applicable to your particular situation.

Replace an unsightly mailbox and put out a fresh doormat. Polish or replace metal door fixtures or brass, and ensure the doorbell is in good condition and in working order.

Ensure all concrete and asphalt is in good condition. This would include the driveway, garage, and carport. Oil stains from crankshafts should be removed. Badly cracked or potted asphault may need to be torn up and replaced. The same would go for badly cracked sidewalks or other concrete groundcover, that may have been disturbed by tree roots, water, or time.

Air conditioners should not be rusted or otherwise unattractive. Paint all exposed surfaces.

Any outdoor living areas such as patios or decks should be populated with attractive furnishings, and perhaps accented with potted plants. Pools should be clean, sparkling, and the filtration equipment should be attractive and in good working order. It might be necessary to drain the pool to repair any cracks or have the surface repainted.

Pay particular attention to windows. Panes should be well maintained and freshly painted. Windows should slide open and closed smoothly and without much effort. Broken glass should be replaced, all screens should be free of rust, holes, and tears. No window should be without a screen. Prune flora near windows so as to allow the free flow of sunlight into the home. A bright home will be more attractive to a buyer than a dark, gloomy home. Windows should be sparkly clean.

Doors should also open easily, and not make loud noises. Oil squeaky parts and polish or replace metal accessories such as hinges, knobs, and locks. Screen doors should be in as good condition as possible. Sliding glass doors should be clean and slide easily, and have locking mechanisms that are functional.

Walls should be clean and freshly painted. Wallpaper should not be peeling or faded.

Carpets should be cleaned or replaced, especially if pets have lived in the home. Nobody wants to move into a home that smells of a barn. Hardwood floors should be in good condition, and any ceramic tile floors should be clean and not cracked.

All light bulbs should be working. Fixtures should be updated and fit with the decor of the home. Consider adding some halogen lighting here and there. Switches and plugs should be cleaned or replaced.

Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. They should be squeaky clean. All porcelin should be clean and shiny. Bathrooms should be well lit and free of odors. Woodwork and cabinetry should be freshly painted or stained. All fixtures and mirrors should be polished. Toilet and floors and appliances should be cleaned and in working order.

Surface coverings, such as linoleum countertops, may need to be updated.

Remove excess furnishings to avoid overcrowding of your home. While you may love that stack of National Geographics on the floor of your living room, all debris should be removed. Give the place a bright, airy feel. Put excess furnishings in storage if necessary. Closets should be uncrowded so as to give a feeling of space.

A cottage industry of "home enhancement" professionals has emerged in recent years. These people will come into your home and "redecorate" it for you, mostly using existing furnish

include the driveway, garage, and carport. Oil stains from crankshafts should be removed. Badly cracked or potted asphault may need to be torn up and replaced. The same would go for badly cracked sidewalks or other concrete groundcover, that may have been disturbed by tree roots, water, or time.

Air conditioners should not be rusted or otherwise unattractive. Paint all exposed surfaces.

Any outdoor living areas such as patios or decks should be populated with attractive furnishings, and perhaps accented with potted plants. Pools should be clean, sparkling, and the filtration equipment should be attractive and in good working order. It might be necessary to drain the pool to repair any cracks or have the surface repainted.

Pay particular attention to windows. Panes should be well maintained and freshly painted. Windows should slide open and closed smoothly and without much effort. Broken glass should be replaced, all screens should be free of rust, holes, and tears. No window should be without a screen. Prune flora near windows so as to allow the free flow of sunlight into the home. A bright home will be more attractive to a buyer than a dark, gloomy home. Windows should be sparkly clean.

Doors should also open easily, and not make loud noises. Oil squeaky parts and polish or replace metal accessories such as hinges, knobs, and locks. Screen doors should be in as good condition as possible. Sliding glass doors should be clean and slide easily, and have locking mechanisms that are functional.

Walls should be clean and freshly painted. Wallpaper should not be peeling or faded.

Carpets should be cleaned or replaced, especially if pets have lived in the home. Nobody wants to move into a home that smells of a barn. Hardwood floors should be in good condition, and any ceramic tile floors should be clean and not cracked.

All light bulbs should be working. Fixtures should be updated and fit with the decor of the home. Consider adding some halogen lighting here and there. Switches and plugs should be cleaned or replaced.

Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. They should be squeaky clean. All porcelin should be clean and shiny. Bathrooms should be well lit and free of odors. Woodwork and cabinetry should be freshly painted or stained. All fixtures and mirrors should be polished. Toilet and floors and appliances should be cleaned and in working order.

Surface coverings, such as linoleum countertops, may need to be updated.

Remove excess furnishings to avoid overcrowding of your home. While you may love that stack of National Geographics on the floor of your living room, all debris should be removed. Give the place a bright, airy feel. Put excess furnishings in storage if necessary. Closets should be uncrowded so as to give a feeling of space.

A cottage industry of "home enhancement" professionals has emerged in recent years. These people will come into your home and "redecorate" it for you, mostly using existing furnish

d be without a screen. Prune flora near windows so as to allow the free flow of sunlight into the home. A bright home will be more attractive to a buyer than a dark, gloomy home. Windows should be sparkly clean.

Doors should also open easily, and not make loud noises. Oil squeaky parts and polish or replace metal accessories such as hinges, knobs, and locks. Screen doors should be in as good condition as possible. Sliding glass doors should be clean and slide easily, and have locking mechanisms that are functional.

Walls should be clean and freshly painted. Wallpaper should not be peeling or faded.

Carpets should be cleaned or replaced, especially if pets have lived in the home. Nobody wants to move into a home that smells of a barn. Hardwood floors should be in good condition, and any ceramic tile floors should be clean and not cracked.

All light bulbs should be working. Fixtures should be updated and fit with the decor of the home. Consider adding some halogen lighting here and there. Switches and plugs should be cleaned or replaced.

Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. They should be squeaky clean. All porcelin should be clean and shiny. Bathrooms should be well lit and free of odors. Woodwork and cabinetry should be freshly painted or stained. All fixtures and mirrors should be polished. Toilet and floors and appliances should be cleaned and in working order.

Surface coverings, such as linoleum countertops, may need to be updated.

Remove excess furnishings to avoid overcrowding of your home. While you may love that stack of National Geographics on the floor of your living room, all debris should be removed. Give the place a bright, airy feel. Put excess furnishings in storage if necessary. Closets should be uncrowded so as to give a feeling of space.

A cottage industry of "home enhancement" professionals has emerged in recent years. These people will come into your home and "redecorate" it for you, mostly using existing furnish

e and there. Switches and plugs should be cleaned or replaced.

Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. They should be squeaky clean. All porcelin should be clean and shiny. Bathrooms should be well lit and free of odors. Woodwork and cabinetry should be freshly painted or stained. All fixtures and mirrors should be polished. Toilet and floors and appliances should be cleaned and in working order.

Surface coverings, such as linoleum countertops, may need to be updated.

Remove excess furnishings to avoid overcrowding of your home. While you may love that stack of National Geographics on the floor of your living room, all debris should be removed. Give the place a bright, airy feel. Put excess furnishings in storage if necessary. Closets should be uncrowded so as to give a feeling of space.

A cottage industry of "home enhancement" professionals has emerged in recent years. These people will come into your home and "redecorate" it for you, mostly using existing furnishings. Such services are generally more affordable than interior design fees, and can put your existing furnishings to work for you.

About the Author:

Catherine Nguyen was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and is a licensed real estate agent. Ms. Nguyen specializes in Dallas real estate and has a career with Renowned Realty Group – Dallas/Ft. Worth RE/MAX.