One of the first things a prospective buyer will notice is a manicured lawn. Make sure all hedges are trimmed and weed eating has been done, this will go a long way. Next make sure there are some pretty flowers, or some ornamental to make the yard pop. Any broken windows, busted screen doors, or pain that is chipping should be addressed immediately. A simple gallon of paint can do so much for sprucing up a porch or front entry door. Clean up any junk piles or trash that is lying around. The first thing people want to see is how well this property has been maintained and not a trash heap. Simply following a few things, can make ones house stand a cut above the rest.

There is no need in many cases to spend a lot of money. Although, any money invested in the curb appeal will show a return by adding to the marketability of the home. Spend some time or money sprucing up the yard. Trim hedges and keep the grass cut, sweep up trimmings from the driveway and sidewalk. Railing, and banisters that are peeling paint or have faded paint can be painted in a matter of hours.

Trim around windows and doors take no time at all to touch up, and fresh paint adds tremendous appeal to the home. Installing and or painting shutters are simple and inexpensive chores. Shutters do not have to be ones that operate. Many shutters are attached and cannot be opened or closed they are merely for aesthetics.

Consider a colored concrete stain for that worn looking sidewalk or walkway. Stain is inexpensive and can be applied by any homeowner. Freshly planted flowers are always a welcome sight for any prospective home buyer. Spruce up the flowerbeds by adding fresh mulch or decorative rock. Colored mulch is attractive but will fade over time. Rake the mulch to expand it and bring some color back. The top layer of mulch will have faded from the sun-s rays turning over the mulch will bring some color to the top.

Staging can go as far as removing the furniture and bringing in traditional furnishings, similar to a model home. Most staging is removing personalized furnishings and changing wall color. Neutral colors work the best, and a general cleaning replacing stained carpet and fixing dings and dents in woodwork. The return on investment for staging a home is over 100 percent in most areas.

Curb appeal is critical, and landscaping is essential to good curb appeal. Hedges and grass should be trimmed dead shrubbery and trees need to be removed. Wash all the windows and make sure the sidewalk is swept. Banisters and railings can be painted or stained.

Remove clutter and take down personal photos from the walls, leaving tasteful artwork in place. Make sure the lights are working, and have the drapes and blinds open for a home showing. Light airy and breezy sells. Clothes stuffed in hampers and damp towels strewn about the bathroom does not sell. Make all rooms- gender-neutral in particular master baths and master bedrooms.

To keep cost low when remodeling try purchasing wood products from lumber outlet stores. Recycled wood has become a large market for home owners. Many people save money by buying older wood from former construction products. Don’t be afraid to try remodeling on your own. Much of the cost of remodeling is found in labor. By painting a project on your own you can save hundreds of dollars.

Shop garage sales for hard to find decorations instead of buying them new. You can find accents at garage sales and other outlet stores that can be used to decorate and finish projects for much less than buying them new.

Enlist the help of family and friends who like to help. Most times people just like to help others in need. By having people help you can save money and time during the remodeling process.

If you need a particular tool see if you can borrow one instead of buying one. If no one you know owns the tool consider renting it from a hardware store.

For instance, you may think that you need new paint and carpet throughout the house, perhaps what is there is somewhat outdated. And while nice new paint and carpeting does add cosmetic beauty, the color choices would be yours and not those of the potential buyer. Now, if you are planning to stay in the home several years after the paint and carpet are done, that’s fine. But as any good interior designer or home-staging professionals will tell you, the two main areas of the home that will likely make or break the sale are the kitchen and the bathrooms. Putting money into upgrading the kitchen cabinets and counters will usually be made back at the time of sale, as will upgrading the bathrooms with new sinks, vanities and mirrors and tiling.

As for the outdoors, just simple and inexpensive flowers and shrubs along the front of the house will give the house more curb appeal and bring buyers in for a closer look.

Paint is always a good choice for home owners and sellers. A fresh coat of paint makes the home look new and clean from a distance and up-close. Most paint stores have machines that can match the color of the home perfectly. Simply take a sample of the color into the store and have it scanned to provide the perfect match in color.

Homes that are for sale should look as open as possible. A home that is full of clutter will not sell as well as a home that is clean and clutter free. Renting a storage unit is a quick and easy way to clear out extra furniture and items that fill a home. Keep needed furniture along the walls to open up the floor space and away from windows to allow light to flood the room.

The biggest piece of advice is to de-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter! Removing a couple pieces of furniture from each room will make each room appear larger, which is an excellent selling feature of any home. Removing items from kitchen countertops is also important, because potential buyers will be looking at the counter space. Hiding the counter space with clutter can deter potential buyers. It is also very important to thoroughly clean the home before putting it on the market and doing any last minute touch-up cleaning before showings.

If you’re looking to complete some minor interior improvements on a budget, consider some of these options. If the kitchen is a little outdated, try re-grouting if new countertops are not an option. If the cabinets in the kitchen are outdated, try painting and adding new hardware to add a new, fresh look. For the remainder of the home, a little paint goes a long way. Painting rooms a neutral shade is often the best bet. Choosing too bright or too dark of colors suited to your taste may not match the taste of the prospective buyers looking at your home. If you have wallpaper, consider removing it. Many prospective buyers look at wallpaper and only see it as a project they will have to worry about. Placing scented candles and fresh-cut flowers throughout the home will add the extra something special to make the home more inviting. Place fresh, clean towels in the bathroom and remove any clutter from the vanity.

With these minor improvements, you can make your home more appealing to the prospective buyers and can highlight the features of your home. Happy selling!