(NAPSA)—People selling homes may be able to speed up the process and sendtheir asking price through the roof by making a few small improvements. Real estate agents offer these tips: Landscaping—Spending $400 to $500 on new landscaping can boost a home’s value as much as $1,800, according to a recent survey of real estate agents. Revive A Tired Exterior— Painting exterior doors and window trim can freshen your home’s look without the expense of a complete exterior repainting. * Remove Outside Clutter— Get rid of anything that blocks pathways or clutters side yards or backyards. Clean Your Windows—You want your hometo look as light and bright as possible. Dirty or spotted windows drag down a home’s appearance. Dig Out The Dirt—A deep cleaning is essential for a good first impression. It’s also key to keep on top of cleaning as long as your house is on the market. Banish Bad Smells—Air out your home by throwing open the windows at least once a day. Use potpourri or bake cookies before buyers visit to give your place a “homey”smell. * Remove Inside Clutter— Stowing away knickknacks and family pictures helps depersonalize your home, which is actually a good thing. You want potential buyers to picture themselves living in your homeinstead of being distracted by your personal effects. Window Dressing—Sprucing up the exterior of your home can help yousell it faster. Organize What’s Left—Tidy closets and pantries look bigger and more appealing. Consider renting a storage space to help keep the areasclear. Fix your floors—Real estate agents say buyers really notice the condition of floors. Hardwood should be polished and carpets shampooed or, if they’re in bad shape, replaced. Repair any brokentile or linoleum. Brighten your walls—If you’ve painted or wallpapered in recent years, you maybe able to get away with just washing your walls. Otherwise, consider repainting your roomsin neutralcolors. For more information on man- aging your finances to purchase a home, visit CNBC on MSN Money (http://money.msn.com), or use the planning tools within Microsoft Moneysoftware to help you prioritize and reach your home-buying goals.
