Renovating your kitchen usually nets enough extra money in the sale to recoup the cost and then some, but not always. Be sure you're prepared to go months without the use of your kitchen. Make sure the mess of an ongoing kitchen and/or bathroom renovation doesn't interfere with showing your home. And always be sure any renovations you undertake yourself are fully compliant with building codes.

The most cost-effective changes you can make are a fresh coat of white or neutral paint on the walls and touching up the floors -- either sanding down and varnishing wood floors or steam-cleaning or replacing carpets.

Make sure everything -- switches, faucets, toilets, etc. -- works. If a potential buyer notices one little thing in poor repair, they may wonder what else is wrong. Replacing worn bathroom fixtures, resealing a tub, and regrouting go a long way toward making a bathroom sparkle again.

Remember, touching up does not relieve you from the responsibilities of seller disclosure. Painting over a dark spot from a leaky roof doesn't mean you don't have to mention the leaky roof. You just don't have to advertise it with a dark spot.