No one likes dumping money into a home she is about to move out of, but a coat of paint can do a lot to refresh an older home. And while prospective buyers generally don't purchase your furniture, they do notice the way you live; cluttered closets, for example, look small and make people wonder if they will run out of space.

Ask what can be done to get your house in the best condition to be shown. Plan to do the work early, so you don't have to rush around at the last minute before a prospective buyer shows up.

The earlier you meet with an agent, the more valuable her input can be, and the more you can enjoy some changes that may have to be made. Again using my parents as an example, the agent who handled the sale told my folks when she first saw the home that there were certain issues that would have to be resolved, such as changing an old glass sliding door. My parents might have enjoyed the family room for the last few years they lived in the house with the upgraded door that they put in to meet the buyer's demand for an upgrade. Instead, they spent the money to make the fix, but never really got to enjoy it.