What are "the right things wrong" with a house? If you want to profit from your home purchase by more than the current average annual market value appreciation rate in most communities, you'll need to buy a less-than-perfect home. Here are five keys to unlock a profitable home purchase... Buy a sound, well-located home without major defects. Most home buyers aren't looking for major fix-up projects. But...

Make the Most of that First Impression! A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted - or at least freshly scrubbed - front door. Not everyone makes his or her bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly...

With all the self-help patio landscaping information out there today, there's no reason to live with a dull or ugly patio that does nothing to enhance the exterior look of your home. The outdoors is very 'in' and good patio landscaping can transform your deck into an extra room for your home. Home-décor magazines often do feature articles showing off ideas for exterior design, so roll up your sleeves...