Do remodeling jobs with resale in mind

Thinking of fixing up your home to sell it?

When planning a home-improvement project, you may have favorite "must do" projects, but it pays to design with resale in mind.

How do you do that? Try these quick jobs.

Select neutral colors: It creates a blank-canvas effect for potential buyers.

Upgrade your kitchen first: It's the one room buyers use consistently to determine how well a house has been maintained.

Paint, paint, paint: It's the quickest and most inexpensive makeover technique. If the exterior paint is faded or weather-beaten, a fresh coat of paint is a cost-effective sales tool.

Hide those flaws: Textured wallpapers and faux wall finishes hide a multitude of surface flaws.

Focus on floors: Whether wood, tile, laminate or vinyl, make sure they're inviting, not cracked or discolored. Again, neutrals sell best, natural wood best of all.

Cost-cutting ideas: Use wood or tile to dress up laminate countertops; stencil that backsplash instead of installing tile; consider marble sheets instead of ceramic tile for that tub surround.

Keep all options open: One man's workshop is another man's wine cellar. Don't eliminate options when you remodel rooms.