In this market, you want your home looking as nice as possible for potential buyers.  Very often this may include doing some work to the house.  However, what work should you do - keeping in mind you would like to keep costs down so you can afford your next house.

The following are a list of things to consider.

• It is always a good idea to improve your kitchen, but a complete remodel may not be worth the time and effort.  While there are a number of statistics that point out you will at least get your money back when doing a kitchen remodel, that isn't necessarily the case in today's market.  On top of that, why would you go through the hassle of living without a kitchen for a month only to get back the money you put in?
• Better ideas for the kitchen include replacing the hardware on the cabinets and painting them if possible.  You can also replace antique appliances and change the countertops if yours look straight out of the seventies.  Consider using granite tile - which looks almost as nice as granite slab for a fraction of the cost.
• Strongly consider repainting the inside and outside of the home - especially if this hasn't been done for some time.  Don't use dark or overly strong colors.  Make sure to use light neutral colors that most people will find pleasing.
• Reconsider the molding in your house.  If the molding looks banged up, old, or nonexistent - consider replacing the molding in the house.  With a hack saw, nail gun, and miter saw you can do this yourself - or find a handyman to do it for a small fee.  Also consider door and window molding - which often makes for a nice touch.
• Take a good strong look at your windows.  Place your hand on them on a cold day.  If the window on the inside is also cold, your windows may not be doing their job.  Especially if you have old or ugly windows consider replacing them.  Many buyers will not look at a house with old windows.
• If you have old weak doors from homes built in the sixties, consider replacing them.
• Consider replacing vinyl tile anywhere in the house (except perhaps the laundry room).  Many buyers are turned off by vinyl tile.  Replace them instead with ceramic tiles which have more universal appeal.
• If you kept the inspection report from when you bought your home, go through it again.  If you didn't fix something from the report, chances are the next inspector will find it.
• Make sure the outside of the property is clean.  Consider hiring someone or spending a weekend yourself weeding and ensuring the yard looks perfect. Curb appeal is huge. Some buyers WILL NOT go in to the home if there is no curb appel
• Clean your roof and gutters. Make sure your roof has at least five years of life in it. Generally, this is all inspectors look for.
• Strongly consider removing all popcorn from the ceilings in the house.  Make sure to do this in an approved manner though.
• Be very careful what you do to floors.  If the carpets in your home are old and worn, look under them to see if there is hardwood.  If there is no hardwood under the carpets, replace them if the carpets need it.  If there are hardwoods, it is a better idea to clean the carpets well and offer an allowance if the buyer asks for it.  Many buyers in this case will not want new carpets but instead will remove the carpet and refinish the hardwood.

This is just a small fraction of what needs to be done. A good realtor should be able to guide you through this process.