How to Stage Your Home to Sell Quick

We all hope for quick home sales, but in this economy it can be challenging. Set your home apart from other on the market through the use of staging. Staging basically means setting up your home to look like a show house or model home. You can hire people to do this, but why spend the money why you can do it yourself?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A few home decor magazines.
• Boxes.
• Time.
• Storage.

1. Look at several home decor magazines such as Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful, and Martha Stewart Living. Take note of how the furniture is set up. Notice accessories and their placement.

2. 

   Take a good look at each of your rooms. Remove and pack anything that makes the room look cluttered, heavy, or full, including rarely used furniture. Store these things in a garage, storage room, or rented storage locker. This helps rooms look bigger, cleaner, and brighter. Plus its gets a lot of your stuff ready for the move.

3. 

   Clean carpets, walls (especially around light switches), windows, etc.

4. 

   Stage the room to look open and inviting. Use accessories sparingly to avoid a cluttered look. Set furniture in open configurations. Open curtains or blinds.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can only manage minimal staging focus on the entryway and kitchen, the heart of the home.
• Regional living magazines can show you what looks are popular in your city or area.
• Don't forget to stage your yard and outdoor areas, too.
• Light an apple pie or cookie scented candle to make your home smell warm and inviting.
• If your budget allows consider renting furniture for one key room. Move the home-worn stuff out and make a showplace!