Let’s say you’re selling your home in a buyer’s market and you need to make it stand out from the competition. What do you do? You spend some time and money on home staging. Effective staging can help you sell your home quickly and possibly for more money, according to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA).

Here are some suggestions from RESA’s Consumer Guide to Home Staging to get you started:

Free or inexpensive fixes
Now’s the time to deal with any nagging home repairs that you’ve learned to live with but that detract from your home’s appeal. Fix things like broken light switches, loose door knobs, leaky faucets, running toilets, sticky locks, slow drains, cracks or holes in walls, broken screen doors, clogged shower heads, ripped window screens, sticky windows or broken cabinet door knobs. After all, a home with no obvious “to do” list looks more attractive.

Easy updates under $500
According to the professional stagers at RESA, new lighting is one of the most economical facelifts you can give your home. Try replacing outdated fixtures to appeal to a new buyer’s tastes. Be sure to liven up your home’s décor with a clean, fresh coat of paint in a light, neutral shade and use accessories or artwork to add colour. And don’t forget to hire a professional cleaning crew to make the place spotless.

Good investments for $500 and up
Buyers pay special attention to kitchens and baths, so it’s worthwhile to keep these rooms immaculate and to replace appliances or fixtures if necessary. Also replace worn carpets throughout your home or refinish floors that may otherwise be in good shape.

An experienced stager will be able to advise you on where to invest your dollars to get the best return. Remember, the cost of staging is money well spent if it reduces the time your home stays on the market. Professionals will use their experience and a time-on-the-market formula to create a budget that’s right for you.