If you're like most Americans, your home is probably your single largest investment. While the price of your home is largely determined by market conditions, there are steps you can take to maximize the value.

Homes in a neighborhood tend to vary about 10 percent from house to house, assuming all other things are the equal. If you want your home to sell for the maximum amount, it's important that you spend time ensuring your property looks its best. This needn't cost a fortune - simply cleaning and sprucing up can often make a big difference. If you're lucky, investing $500 could add $5,000 to the resale value of your home.

But, be wary if improvements that are out of character with the neighborhood, such as granite countertops in a neighborhood where plastic laminate is the norm. Try to keep your home in the typical range for your neighborhood. Don't let your home become the most expensive one on the block, but don't lag behind either. This is one of those times when it's best to be in the middle of the pack

Many of the improvements suggested below will help you sell faster. But they help sell it  for more? Not if the appointments you've done are significantly lower quality or higher quality that the rest of the neighborhood. Here are 10 ways that I’ve identified and suggest my sellers do to increase the value of a home:

1. Curb appeal - Buyers form an impression before they even step inside your home. A great first impression of a home can add as much as 5 to 10 percent to its perceived value and is one of the easiest areas to improve.

A freshly painted front door, new door handle, sparkling windows, neat pathway and nice garden can make a great initial impression. A scruffy exterior, overgrown shrubs and a visible garbage can turn away many prospective buyers. Consider having the exterior professionally power-washed and then touch up the trim with paint. Replace or repair any  damaged windows, screens or shingles.

Surrounding your home with colorful flowers adds immediate appeal. Beautiful landscaping will add to the ‘sell-ability’ if it distinguishes your home from others in the neighborhood while still conforming to the overall style of the area.

Make sure the photos (‘graphics’) of your home are appealing and are available on the internet. If you can get buyers through the front door, you've passed the first hurdle in selling your home.

2. De-clutter, De-personalize & CLEAN- Never underestimate the appeal of a tidy property. Buyers can quickly be turned off homes simply because they are a mess. Dust and clean thoroughly from the top to the bottom of the house – including the windows. Keep sinks spotless and trashcans emptied.

By the same token, remove all the clutter from your home, from refrigerator magnets to children’s toys. Buyers should be looking at your property and not your possessions. Remove personal items, such as children's drawings, pet toys and sports equipment, which may distract potential buyers. You’re going to be packing it anyway, so do it now.  

3. Stage It – Home Staging has become an industry for a good reason. It adds appeal and helps a home sell. Your home temporarily needs to look more like a magazine layout than the place you normally live. Presentation needs to take precedence over convenience.

If you're not up for staging, you can always hire a professional. They can show a home off to its best using a homeowner's own stuff and can cost anywhere from $100-$5,000. Add a few nice extras for special showings like fruit or cookies on your dining room table, or set your outdoor patio with candles and a pitcher of lemonade.

4. Make it Smell – There's a reason why it's called "home sweet home." Scent plays an important role in creating the right impression.  Nothing drives potential buyers away like unpleasant odors – whether from animals, smoking, cooking,...

Seduce them with the aroma of freshly baked cookies, bread or grind coffee beans just before the arrival of a potential buyer. Or simply greet them with the smell of a freshly cleaned and aired room. Choose cleaning products with natural scents rather than harsh chemical smells.

5. Update the kitchen - Today, people like big kitchens with a lot of workspace. They look for newer appliances, solid surface counters, high-quality flooring and cabinetry that is in good condition. The most important thing to buyers about the kitchen is that it appears spacious. If the kitchen counter is full of appliances, leave out only one or two and put the rest in storage.

Consider giving your kitchen a facelift if it is old and dated. To increase your home’s value, stick to natural colors, classic styling, good quality appliances and functionality. When upgrading, remember the more state-of-the-art the kitchen is, the more buyers tend to think of it as being fully remodeled.

But don't always expect to get back all of your money. If you’re remodeling just to sell, keep in line with the character of your neighborhood and the rest of your home. Don’t go overboard with fancy finishing materials, sophisticated equipment and really high-end countertops, sinks, back splashes and floors. How much of your improvements you recoup will depend on how much the rest of you home is worth and whether you simple spruce up with things like paint and new knobs or completely overhaul the kitchen with granite and new appliances.

8. Make it Light - In today’s market, no one wants a dark home. People buy light, airy and a spacious feel. One of the best ways to increase home value and enhance appeal is to put a fresh coat of paint on tired the walls: Your home will look clean, fresh and new.

Research shows that despite recent trends in interior decorating, most buyers prefer natural, earthy colors rather than bright, bold shades. Stick with neutral colors like white, beige and cream. To keep rooms from looking too bland, use strong colors for cushions and accessories.

9. Closets, Cabinets & Storage- Space is important and you want to show that your home has extra. If your homes doesn’t have extra room for all of your stuff then buyers will imagine that it doesn’t have room for their stuff.  Nothing beats plenty of closets, an oversized garage and some attic space. Add value by getting rid of anything that takes up that precious space. Extra storage areas for those things we all have - bicycles, lawn mower, etc. - is an added feature.