First impressions are everything, and by creating a good impression of your home, you can increase the chances that your home will sell faster and for more money. Staging your home will give you a competitive advantage in a tough market.

Most real estate agents have their system in place to get a house ready to go on the market. The same goes for real estate developers who offer a list of “tips, tricks, and proven strategies.” Remember that, at the end of the day, you want to sell your property for the best possible price, spending as little as possible.

An important thing to remember is to separate yourself from the property, not to get emotionally involved. This will end up costing you money. For example, you would like to install a sauna because you enjoy it. A lot of money spent to add marginal profit. Not everyone enjoys a sauna or can afford to keep one.

Let’s take a look at some preparation tips before organizing your property.

1. Deal with repairs first. Make sure all plumbing and electrical are in good working order. Replace burned out bulbs. Deal with scratches on trim and woodwork. Fill in the holes in the walls. Re-caulk countertops, tubs, and showers. All of this will show potential buyers that the house has been taken care of. You really need to focus specifically on kitchens and bathrooms, the two most important rooms in the house that often make or break a home sale.

2. Repainted. Apply a fresh coat of paint to all walls, inside and out, using standard light fresh colors. This will appeal to a wider audience than heavy, dark-toned colors.

3. Clean and fresh. Clean every corner of every room. Make sure there is no dirt or dust, wash countertops, windows and floors. If the floors are badly stained or scratched, re-sand and seal the hardwood floors, or replace them with carpet, it’s cheaper and can look and feel nice and cozy. Repack the garage, you can even high pressure clean the garage floor and the entire house floor.

4. Dazzle. Remember that you are trying to appeal to a wide audience. Consider what the most important assets in your home are and stage your home to accentuate those elements. Arrange furniture around a large indoor grill or entertaining area. Open the blinds and window coverings to reveal large windows, sliding doors and a beautiful view. Add finishing touches to make your home feel warm, bright and inviting to potential buyers.

If you have a reasonable and affordable budget to work with, and you’re not the DIY type, then here are the facts you should professionally organize your property for.

o Sell faster than other houses. The time to market is greatly reduced.

o Images, such as photos or video clips from Staged Homes, look better. More buyers these days want to see your home in person, especially since most home buyers start their search online.

o Buyers feel more comfortable in a staged home. Having perhaps visited a few properties during a house hunting session, they are likely to remember your home better.

o A staged home will give potential buyers the impression that the home is well cared for.

A staged home speeds up the selling process and therefore reduces marketing costs and wasted time. A staged home would also get you a better price, so spending a few bucks to hire a professional to help you might be worth it.

Marius Snyman writes on topics related to marketing and business.