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When preparing a home for sale, dismantling the Elvis shrine and removing the copper-colored juniper bushes that died three years ago might seem like basic moves to make. But sellers often don't see it that way.

Sometimes they need help recognizing the value of such changes, especially smaller adjustments.

And that's where a stager can help.

Staged homes generally sell faster and for more money than unstaged properties, says staging professional Barb Schwarz. She says staging depersonalizes the house nad makes it easier for potential buyers to envision their belongings in it.

Schwarz emphasizes her three C's of staging:

• Cleanliness - The home should be Q-tip clean, meaning you can run a cotton swab along any surface without picking up dirt or dust.
• Clutter-free - Have the sellers pack and store little things that take up space around the house. This tidies things up and gets the sellers started on the moving process.
• Color - Use color only as a punch. Avoid painting walls with a bright color because people usually can't overlook paint they don't like. Instead, add a vibrant rug or exotic picture frame to draw out the elements in each room.