Paint: Painting with neutral colors create a fresh look.

Window Treatments: Adding window treatment that complement the rest of the home will be more visually appealing.

Purge: Remove the clutter. Pack up, sell or donate anything that is not truly needed.

Furniture: Staging or rearranging furniture allows a potential buyer to visualize how the areas can be laid out. Keep in mind you want to retain a spacious feeling without making it feel sparse.

Cleaning and maintenance: Go through your home and do a thorough "spring cleaning." Make sure all lighting fixtures have functioning bulbs. Remove household odors.

Accessorize: Add some plants, accent pillows, and accessories to give it some punch. In the kitchen, cookbooks, spices and small appliances can be used as a great visual effect. Put personal photos away so that the buyer can visualize it as their potential new home.

Electrical: Adding recessed lighting, rewiring or upgrading an out-of-date electrical panel will add a lot of value to the home

Plumbing: Changing out rotting pipes is recommended.

Flooring: Changing carpet to hardwood flooring or tile flooring will raise value as well as attract buyers with allergy issues. At very least, steam clean carpeting!

Remodel: Upgrading kitchen and bathrooms, changing out windows for more efficient types, and adding sustainable or "green" features are ways to increase your return and may be key to "closing the deal." A bonus would be adding something your neighbors don't have such as a home theater room, since much of today's entertaining is taking place in the home.