Money Fix: Fixing up to sell a house

With the real estate market showing signs of life, maybe you're considering sprucing up your home for sale. What renovations will get you the best returns on the dollars you spend?

Think small. Improve curb appeal, spruce up landscaping, make sure the outside is clean with no peeling paint or dry rot, says Lesselbaum. Sand and refinish hardwood floors. Replace old carpeting. Paint interiors in neutral colors and declutter.

Truth is, says Michael Corbett, consumer spokesman for real estate site Trulia.com, "There isn't always a direct relation between how much you put into a renovation and how much you get out of it."