1: De-Personalize - Anything in your home that lets the buyer see what "type" of people may live there. . . put it away. You want them saying "I could see myself living here with all of my things."

2: De-Clutter - It can be surprising how much stuff you'll accumulate over the years. Nothing can make a house look smaller and more poorly taken care of then to have needless clutter around. The more you can pack away or get rid of, the better your home will look.

3: Clean, Clean, Clean - You may think your house is clean, but to sell it should sparkle. Go beyond your normal cleaning routine and powerwash the driveway or bleach the grout in the kitchen. Rent a carpet cleaner or wax the floors to make it look brand new.

4: Organize Closets - Buyers are going to open every door, so impress them at every opportunity. An organized, well kept closet or storage spot makes the buyer think "this person really takes care of things!"

5: Rent a Storage Unit - If you have extra furniture that is just taking up valuable space, store it off the property. All of those things you packed away in order to de-clutter, store it away. Anything you can do to make it look like you have space to spare is a definite benefit.

6: Make Minor Repairs - That crack in a tile, the sticking door jam, all those little inconveniences or imperfections you've grown custom to . . . now is the time to fix them. The last thing you want is your buyer saying "oh, that needs to be fixed."

7: Pay Attention to the Kitchen - It's a fairly well known concept that the kitchen can make or break a house. Whether or not you have top of the line appliances and granite countertops, the most important thing is that your kitchen is clean and organized. Keep your counters clear and your cabinets sorted.

8: Pay Attention to the Bathrooms - Almost as big as the kitchen, bathrooms are the other place you can snag or lose a buyer. Clean towels, fresh smells, and sparkling countertops are the way to keep them interested

9: Consider Curb Appeal - Make sure the outside of your house is just as gorgeous as the inside. A buyer may not even come in if they don't like the exterior. Pressure wash, paint the house, and keep up your landscaping. Make people want to see what's inside.

10: Scrutinize - Pretend you're a potential buyer. Walk through your house, inside and out, and make sure everything is as clean, organized, and appealing as possible. That room will look a bigger with the couch on the other wall. . . move it. That door could use a fresh coat of paint. . . paint it. Make yourself not want to leave.