If you are considering putting your home up for sale this spring, now is the time to decide if you need to undertake a home improvement project to increase the home's appeal and potential asking price. Starting now should allow you enough time to outline the project scope, define the budget, hire a professional, apply for permits and complete the job before the "for sale" sign is put in place.

When considering where to invest, remember that kitchen and bathroom updates traditionally yield the greatest return without having to increase the square footage.

Work with your Realtor and contractor to craft a project that will boost the home's appeal at the right price. In other words, you will want to choose cabinets, fixtures, tiles, flooring and countertops that are current, but not necessarily top-of-the-line. When selecting items look for good quality and consider what appeals to today's consumer.

Your real estate and construction professionals can let you know what is in demand in the marketplace, such as stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and double vanities in the master bath. Be sure to capitalize on their expertise.

And it is always a good idea to make sure the changes are in keeping with the character of the home. If you own a small Cape Cod, a kitchen with a cottage feeling is probably a better idea than a modern design that does not mesh with the home's history or feeling.