One of the great challenges to selling a home can be differentiating it from other homes on the market. For example, a quick search on C21Tenace.com shows us that within the market segment of Florida waterfront homes for sale (http://www.c21tenace.com/search/south-florida-properties-for-sale.htm), those trying to sell a home are competing with hundreds of other homes for sale within this market. This makes showing all of your home’s space, decor and natural light potential all the more important. There are many ways to take advantage of this space without spending too much time on major renovations. For example, every home has crowded closets and dead space. Areas such as these are easy to spruce-up with a little elbow grease and old-fashioned innovation.

Begin by evaluating your closet/storage space to determine which areas can be de-cluttered. Go through old clothes, shoes, etc., and get rid of anything that will not be used. Consider organizing shelves and other areas to make better use of your storage space, including your garage and basement. Also, try to throw out or give away any old furniture that is no longer of use. All of the discarded items can be given to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or even sold at a yard sale.

"Although most sellers keep their homes clean and well-decorated, it can be difficult to convince a buyer of a home's potential when clutter is noticeable. As brokers, it's our responsibility to offer any tips that will expedite the sale and make the experience more enjoyable for the seller," says Henry Kaplan, an expert in the South Florida homes (http://www.c21tenace.com/) market with Century 21 Tenace.

Once you've eliminated the unwanted items and furniture, you can begin the 'renovation' process. For non-storage spaces that could use a little more decor, consider adding a small bookshelf complemented with a cozy reading chair. Always be sure you're filtering as much light into your property as possible. Open or replace curtains. For example, light from a window overlooking the backyard offers a room more color, a great view and the illusion of more space.

Always maximize the potential of existing decor; wash old curtains, re-stain old wood casings, and take advantage of anything that refreshes and emphasizes all the potential of the space and decor of the home.

Prospective buyers are often more drawn to homes with features that they don't have, such as clutter-free closets, open sunny rooms, and cozy little corners. To ensure you've realized all of the above characteristics it’s a good idea to get the honest opinion of someone who will offer suggestions as well as notice the improvements. Seeing your own home through someone else's eyes is a great way to make a home optimally attractive and more sellable to prospective buyers.

If you are diligent in your efforts, small renovations can really improve the aesthetic appeal of the home. All the hard work will be worth the reward of a successful sale.