If you are intending to put your house on the market this summer or just want a more “put-together” look, here are some tips to help you along with achieving those goals. Welcome visitors with an inviting porch. Even if you have only a tiny stoop, make it say “welcome home” with a clean doormat, potted plants in bloom and — if you have room — one or two pieces of neat porch furniture. Keep your porch lights on in the evenings, in case potential buyers drive by. Illuminating the front walk with solar lights is a great extra touch, especially if you will be showing the house during the evening. Get your house sparkling clean. From shining floors and gleaming windows to clean counters and scrubbed grout, every surface should sparkle. This is the easiest (well, maybe not easiest, but certainly the cheapest) way to help your home put its best foot forward. You may want to hire pros to do some of the really tough stuff. Style your dining room table. The dining room is often a blind spot in decorating the home. Between dinners, a dining room table can look bare and uninviting, so styling it up with visitors in mind can increase the appeal. An oversize arrangement can look too stiff and formal, so try lining up a series of smaller vessels down the center of the table instead. Take a good look at your floors. At the bare minimum, give all floors a thorough cleaning, along with carpet and rugs. Consider having wood floors refinished if they are in poor shape. If you don’t want to invest in refinishing floors, the strategic placement of area rugs can go a long way. Beware pet odors. If you have pets, get all rugs cleaned and be extra vigilant about vacuuming and washing surfaces. Also do not forget to keep any extra-loved pet toys and doggie bones hidden when tours are scheduled. Rearrange your furniture. In the living room, symmetrical arrangements usually work well. Pull your furniture off the walls and use pairs (of sofas, chairs, lamps) to create an inviting conversation area. Entice people to explore the whole house. By placing something that draws the eye to the top of the stairs, in hallways or in corners, you can pique curiosity and keep potential buyers interested throughout a whole home tour. A piece of artwork, a painted accent wall, a window seat, a vase of flowers, a hanging light or even a colorful rug can all work to draw the eye.