Here are four ways to spruce up your home for a sale, from Consumer Reports:

¢ Take out the stuff. You should throw out, or at least hide, the clutter. Pick up old newspapers and magazines from the coffee table and put the shoes away in the closet. Homes also look more appealing with furniture, so fill any empty rooms you may have.

¢ Polish and clean. Mop the floors and scrub the counter tops. Clean kitchen appliances as well. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, then paint it. Try to stay away from bright colors, which might not appeal to every buyer.

¢ Arrange your furniture. A good furniture layout can change the way a room looks. Try setting up chairs and couches around a focal point such as a fireplace.

¢ Bring in a professional. Professionals in this arena are called stagers. Their fees can range from $200 for a two-hour consultation up to $5,000 for a full staging. The International Association of Home Staging Professionals’ Web site is www.iahsp.com.