Landscaping:
A good rule of thumb is to budget 1% to 2% of the final expected sale price of your home for landscaping. Plant a couple flats of fresh flowers the day before putting the house on the market. This simple, inexpen- sive final step will drastically increase your overall profit.
Paint:
Paint every room in the home. If the walls have a lot of minor flaws in them, use flat paint. Otherwise, use an eggshell finish. And always use earth-tones.
Kitchen and Bathrooms:
Redo them from top to bottom. If you are not sure what materials to use, look at homes that sold for top dollar per square foot in the area and copy them.
Roof:
If the home needs a new roof, replace it. But factor this into your costs before you purchase the home.
HVAC:
Make sure the home has a working heating and cooling system. Air conditioning is a must in areas with a higher income and higher home value neighborhood.