Hiring a professional to stage your Stuart, Florida home can make all the difference when it comes to selling it quickly and for the highest possible price. A recent study by the Real Estate Staging Association®  found that staged homes spend almost 80% less time on the market than unstaged homes.

But this may not be an option for many Stuart area sellers in this challenging economy. That said, here are some tips you may want to try on your own to show your home in its best light:

1. Try to see your home through the eyes of the buyer. That means looking at a room using the doorway as a frame to highlight its best features. Often, a prospective buyer won’t look beyond the doorway,  so it is important that the room is inviting. You will want to make sure it looks clean and neat. Remove excess furniture and keep floors free of any stacks or clutter to make the room as spacious as possible.

2. Decluttering is arguably the most important aspect of staging (and at no cost). Scrutinize every surface, including shelves and counter tops, ensuring that they are as clear as possible. Stow toiletries under the sink, and pack up personal photographs or keepsakes so buyers don’t get distracted by looking at them.

3. Consider replacing outdated, threadbare or otherwise unappealing furniture, fixtures or window treatments with low-cost temporary fixes.

4. Don’t forget the garage. Garages filled with boxes, tools and other items may be a turn off to buyers, especially when used as a catch-all from the rest of the house. Discard the junk and move the rest to a storage facility.

5. Clean. We are not talking about surface cleaning, which can still leave your home looking dingy. Deep cleaning carpets, upholstery and window treatments will improve the home’s appearance and remove lingering odors. Try using a Q-tip to clean around sinks, in corners and in other hard to reach places.

6. Each room should be light and bright. Clean windows and tie curtains back to let the light shine into the room. Lighten dark colors on the walls with inexpensive paint in neutral, light colors like white, off-white or light taupe. Paint can also be used to cover worn or outdated cabinets. Installing inexpensive new drawer pulls and cabinet handles can create a fresh new look for less than $100.

7. Repurpose rooms. Try moving items from one room to another. One room may be stuffed with furniture, while another could benefit from a great piece that can become a focal point. An extra mirror can make a room look bigger while an armoire from a over crowded bedroom can be used to store the television in a family room.

8. Accessorize. All-neutral rooms can be a bit boring. Add color with throw pillows and small accents like candles. Green is popular since it coordinates with most other colors without clashing.

9. Check your curb appeal. The outside of your home is just as important as the inside. Clean up the yard, trim hedges and weed flowerbeds. Remove dead plants, repair cracks in cement or asphalt, and power wash driveways and sidewalks. Have a look at your house from across the street to see things that need improvement.

Most of these tips require a small investment and can help sell your home in the shortest possible time and for the most money.