Here's a great example:
Tip # 1 Do some basic landscaping, particularly in the front yard. The front yard is the first thing than potential buyers see, so don't miss out on your chance to pique their interest. Prospective buyers and tenants make up their minds about your home as they walk the first 10 feet from their car to your front door. A junky yard will make them think that you've neglected maintenance. A pristine yard will reassure them that your home is well kept. Focus on a clean cut, straighten up the lawn edges, freshen the landscaping and add some color spots or striking shrubs for impact. Mulch is inexpensive, so use it. If your yard lacks interest, consider constructing a retaining wall. Use railroad ties, bricks, or stones to construct that wall. The landscape design should complement your home's style and colors.
Tip # 2 Install matching light fixtures and ceiling fans. Consider some track lighting with dimmers to highlight artwork or showcase a particular part of the room. Consider flex track lighting or suspended track lighting. The addition of a dimmer switch makes your lighting more versatile and is a great mood enhancer. Ceiling fans add value, and you may want to consider adding them in place of staid old light fixtures. If you don't want to replace existing ceiling fans, make sure you clean the dust off the blades and update the decorative pulls at the end of the chain.
Tip # 3 Modernize the kitchen. As the hub of family interaction, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Brighten the cabinets with a fresh coat of paint or some updated hardware. Add a new faucet or light fixture to rejuvenate the space or change the window coverings for a more modern feel. Buyers are always interested in the kitchen, so try a quick facelift that will turn up the heat on your bottom line.
Tip # 4 Get a new front door, or give the existing one a facelift. Paint the front door a complementary but bold color. Choose a color that says, "look at me!". Once you've finished painting the door, install a new doorknob that emphasizes sturdiness and class. Also install a new kick-plate that matches your lockset finish. Remember, while your prospective homebuyer or tenant is waiting for you or the real estate agent to let them in, they are observing your front door. If you have an old storm door, get rid of it. If you really feel the need for a storm door, install one of those with a lot of window space to highlight the bold color of your front door.
Tip # 5 Clean off the tops of the water heater, furnace, oil tanks and washing machines. Most homeowners don't bother to do this at all. Clean the dust and grime off the top of your furnace, water heater, oil tank, washing machine and so on. This makes these devices look newer, well-maintained, and clean. If you have a dirty-looking furnace, don't be surprised if your buyer demands a concession for a new furnace.
Tip # 6 Make sure every light bulb in the house works. Always make sure that every light bulb in your home works. If the prospective homebuyer or tenant can't see your place, then you can't expect them to like your place. When people see lamps with one good bulb but three burned-out ones, they think that you don't maintain the residence and they worry about other deferred maintenance. Where it's safe, use higher wattage light bulbs in your lamps for a bright, warm atmosphere. Don't forget about the bulbs in your basement and in your exterior lamps.
Tip # 7 Get rid of clutter. Space sells. If you have clutter, don't stuff it in your closets, or your basement, or your garage. Throw it out or rent some storage space. Prospective buyers and tenants should not feel hemmed in because of all the boxes you have laying around or those old rickety chairs you can't seem to discard.
Tip # 8 Shampoo your carpet. Yes, many people like new carpet for obvious reasons. However, we can't always afford to buy new carpet. Rent a carpet cleaner or hire a shampoo service. The proper detergent and equipment can get rid of old stains and make odors disappear.
Tip # 9 Powerwash the exterior of the home. Road dust builds up on overhangs. Mold, moss, or insects may accumulate on your siding. By powerwashing your place, you'll make your house that much more inviting from the street.
Tip # 10 Compile a full list of the warranties on the appliances and fixtures. If your home has been repaired in recent years, such as a new roof, or if you've replaced major appliances, be sure to have the receipts on hand to show interested buyers. Better yet, type up a list of the warranties and leave copies of that list on the kitchen counter. Many homebuyers need to feel secure that items in the house are in good working order. If your house is the only one with warranty information, buyers may be more likely to make an offer.
Tip # 11 Add a basic alarm system. The number one concern for any resident is security. If a homeowner or tenant does not feel secure, then eventually they will move elsewhere. Many security alarm providers have lucrative introductory offers for equipment and/or installation. If you provide an alarm system for your tenants, raise the rent and offer a "free security system". Or, have your tenants pay the monthly monitoring fee.
Tip # 12 Give the master bedroom a bold and romantic look. People associate the master bedroom with romance, authority, comfort, and style. Give the people what they want. Buy some new bed sheets or throw pillows. Consider a new comforter. Get rid of junk. Don't leave any clothes laying around.
Tip # 13 Enhance your porch or doorstep with pots or baskets of blooming annuals. This is an inviting and fragrant way to boost visual appeal and add eye popping color. You can find flower pots at dollar stores, and a bag of topsoil may cost only slightly more than a dollar.
Tip # 14 Empty out the cluttered basement. Many basements can be downright scary. You certainly don't want that impression. When selling your property, empty out the basement as much as possible. Homebuyers need to sense that they have lots of open space (to store their junk).
Tip # 15 Hang a large mirror in the living room. It creates virtual space and the illusion of greater size. Buyers and renters love open space.
Tip # 16 Make sure the colors of your kitchen appliance match. A kitchen with a yellow refrigerator, a stainless steel range, and a white microwave may look okay to you, but it doesn't look right to buyers. Make sure you match the colors. This may not require purchasing all new appliances. Sometimes it's a matter of ordering the right color panels.
Tip # 17 Install new street numbers on the front of your home. When prospective buyers or tenants are driving around the neighborhood trying to find your address, their eyes will gravitate toward bright, shiny new street numbers.
Tip # 18 Use throws or pillows in colors that match the room to cover up a worn sofa or chair. You could buy all new furniture to spruce up a room in the place you want to sell, but if new furniture is not in your budget, buy some throws and pillows to place on your furniture.
Tip # 19 If you have a paved driveway, reseal it. If your driveway is already paved but is cracked or otherwise in bad shape, repair it and/or use a driveway sealer. A sharp looking driveway is the first thing a prospective buyer or tenant sees because that's what they're driving toward.
Tip # 20 Brighten up rooms with new paint. This one is obvious but many people still don't do it (or do it properly). New paint may be one of the most effective dollar-for-dollar value enhancers. You can hire a professional or do it yourself. Choose neutral colors for most rooms, but don't be afraid to use a bold color (red? black? violet?) on a wall or two to create contrast or style. Just don't go crazy with the bold colors. Also consider painting the walls and trim complementary colors.
Tip # 21 Spend a day looking at Open Houses. After observing what other people do with their homes, you'll view your property with a fresh perspective. Plus you'll get a feel for what the market values are in your neighborhood. Top athletes check out the competition. Top businesspersons check out the competition. You should too!
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