If you want to get close to your asking price and sell your home as quickly as possible, you must make sure that your house gives a great first impression.

Here are several cost-effective ideas for making your home show better:

• Sweep the sidewalk, mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden and clean debris from the yard.

• Clean the windows (inside and out). Make sure the paint is not chipped or flaking.

• Clean and spruce up all rooms, furnishings, floors, walls and ceilings. It's especially important that the bathroom and kitchen are spotless. 

• Repaint any areas that require it. Neutral colors can be more attractive to prospective buyers.

• Organize your closets.

• Get rid of leaky faucets and frayed cords.

• Make sure your basic appliances and fixtures work. 

• Make sure the house smells good: from an apple pie, cookies baking or spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. Hide the kitty litter.

• Put vases of fresh flowers throughout the house.

• Have pleasant background music playing to help set your stage.