If you hire an estate agent, they should advise you about improvements. Agents are in and out of a lot of homes. They know what most appeals to buyers in your area. Get the low down on what does and doesn't work.

If you think these cosmetic details don?t work, I can tell you from personal experience that they do. A close friend of mine bought a home and six months later she had to relocate. In the meantime she spruced up the home with the help of some paint, a talented gardener and good cleaning agents.

Her total cost for the mini renovation was R8000. She originally paid R465 000 for the home and sold it for an incredible R550 000. She actually made money on the deal, which is rare feat if you only hold the property for six months. So get out the oven gloves, hone your painting skills and make some extra cash on your home.

Adapted from an article on www.stretcher.com

(Click here for Property Editor Kabous le Roux's take on ensuring you sell fast at the price you want.)