How to Stage Real Estate for Sale

Putting your home on the market is a stressful venture, but a few simple changes will showcase your home in the best possible light and make it easier on you. The key is that when your home is on the market, at least 80 percent of the people viewing it are not capable of seeing the structure and attributes amongst the furnishings. They are immediately drawn to and discount things they do not like. In most cases, it is not the house, but the decor that is at fault. To put your home at its best, cater to the widest net of possible buyers and put your personal taste aside. Not occupying the house while on the market makes this more straightforward.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Leave only furniture, wall art and decorations that simply define spaces. Pack up everything else and move it out. A key piece of art for a mantel or behind a couch is all that is necessary. A small conversation area in front of the fireplace can be two comfortable chairs anchored by an area rug.

2. Clean out each closet. Leave a few things hanging to show the rod height if they vary.

3. Keep each room as bright as possible, open all shades, put in higher wattage light bulbs and paint any dark walls a neutral light tone. Antique white works very well for wall color.

4. Pack up all unnecessary furniture, open up as much floor space as possible. Seeing lots of base boards in a room makes it feel much bigger.

5. Showcase areas by defining them in a cozy way. Unusual nooks in a floor plan can be made special by moving in a reading chair, lighting and a few books. Even if this is not how you use it--think inviting.

6. Focus the effort on the living areas, kitchen and main bathrooms. Keep all counters clear of everything and clean out drawers and cabinets. Keep the color palate simple by picking only one or two that go well together and let that be the only color splashes.

7. Leave bedrooms empty unless they have some unique architecture that you want noticed. If leaving the beds until it sells, keep the bedding simple with only a nightstand and maybe one dresser. Neutralize any colors or age/gender specific paint/wallpaper. If a family has girls, but the bedrooms are very masculine, they may not notice anything other than it's a boys room.

8. Clean out the garage or any outside buildings. Again, folks want to know there is a lot of space for their own baggage.

9. Liven up the outside of the entry way. This is the first impression even from the car, make it inviting. De-clutter the area of all things personal save a splash of color. Real flowers and plants in pots are a good solution. They should be scaled properly. Yellow is good color for blooming plants. Be sure to take care of them in the process.

10. Come in your own front door as if you are new to the house and see where your eyes are drawn to. Spend the most effort being sure this first step in is clutter free, devoid of stuff and inviting.

Tips & Warnings

• Have the home professionally cleaned top to bottom. Have them focus on the kitchen and bathroom. The sweeping and dusting should be easy to maintain, just make sure it gets done regularly.
• Consider having the yard professionally maintained while on the market. Especially if you are not there to notice if things are unsightly.
• Any decorating to get your house sold should be done with the least amount of expense. Use what you can of your own or if you feel you need items to define a space, buy gently used or borrow if possible.
• Have someone come look at your work whose style you respect, ask their opinion as a potential buyer not your friend. Don't take negative feedback personally.
• While on the market, it is no longer your home. It is a place you are trying to sell. Your attachment to your stuff and clutter is only going to slow this process down.