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The market for buying and selling homes is always going up and down. It's hard to know when it'll be a good time to sell your home and how much you could get for it. There's property values to think of, depending on where you live and how your area is growing. Your neighbor's homes will also affect how much you can expect to get for your home.

It can all seem like it's out of your control, but there are a few things you can do to give your home a better chance at snagging a larger price tag. People talk about adding onto their home or installing an in-ground pool to increase their property value, but you don't need to dip into your savings to make some money.

Instead, read on for a list of small extras that will add value to your home. They won't cost a huge chunk of change to do, and they won't take up much of your time, either. See if you can do any of these in your home and watch how they transform the profit you can make on your property.

The basic idea behind adding value to your property is to upgrade and update anything in sight. That's why people jump to major renovations. The thought is that the bigger the upgrade, the more cash you'll get. That's not always necessarily true, so don't think you have to spend big or go home.

Something as small as a refreshed backsplash in your kitchen can make a world of difference. Give it a new coat of paint to cover up age-old stains or scratches. Re-tile it to make it look brand-new. Even someone with no experience can tackle a re-tiling project. Find a guide and get started this weekend.

When was the last time you upgraded the hardware in your home? From door handles to your washer and dryer, you could probably use a little more stainless steel in your life. It's easy to care for and lasts forever, and when it's brand-new, it'll make your home sparkle like a shiny new penny. Plus, everyone wants stainless steel in messy places like the kitchen, so it'll be on the list for anyone from a new homeowner to a large family when they tour homes.

Paint can transform an old home into a modern one, especially where you wouldn't think to repaint. Cabinets get stained and scratched over time, but they're easy to take for granted, so you may not notice the damage. Give your cabinets a makeover in an afternoon and you'll be able to see the difference immediately.

You might not think tiny changes could add value to your home, but even something as minor as changing out the knobs on your doors and cabinets can help. They'll update whatever room they're in and bring your home into the current design era.

A key to adding property value is to bring as much of the original home into your current design as you can. If your home has a brick fireplace, you can expose the interior brick chimney to do just that. Exposed brick will be perfect for anyone looking for a home with an urban chic feel. Brick works with almost any design aspirations, so you won't be narrowing down your potential homeowner list with this project.