Presentation Perfection: 10 Ways to Stage Your Home

Thinking about listing your home for sale over the next few weeks?  Here are ten ways to stage your home to make it presentation perfect for that first showing.

1. Keep a Clean House
   A clean home is an inviting home. You'll want to get your home professionally deep-cleaned from floor to ceiling. As the home is shown, you'll also need to do a little light sweeping, mopping or vacuuming to ensure it looks and smells great for the next showing.
2. Lose the Clutter
   A home is staged so buyers can envision themselves living in the space. Depersonalize all of the rooms by removing photographs, mementos and other objects that display your personality or identity. Some buyers will have trouble seeing themselves living in a space that feels like it's still your family's home.
3. Rethink the Space
   Get creative with your staging and move furniture around to enhance each room's appearance. Moving your living area or bedroom furniture into different configurations can help make a space feel refreshed and maximize its potential.  
4. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting
   Believe it or not, lighting can really make or break your staging. The way natural and artificial light interacts with spaces and colors can really transform a home. Make sure you replace your old lighting with new LED bulbs. You'll also want to open all curtains or blinds to let natural light shine through and liven up the space.
5. Repair or Replace
   Let's be honest, every home needs a little work. Now is the time to finally knock out that to-do list by either repairing or replacing the elements of your home that show years of use. Fix that wobbly fan, those squeaky doors, and those jammed windows. Replace old fixtures like faucets, cabinetry handles and even scratched electrical outlets with brand-new items that enhance the look of the home. Remember, every little detail counts in the eyes of a buyer!
6. Neutral is Always Nice
   When in doubt, always stay neutral. This includes everything from paint colors to décor. Not all buyers will be as attracted to certain colors or patterns, however, a neutral color scheme throughout the house will give them a blank canvas to apply their own aesthetic to.
7. Remove Evidence of Pets
   Although your prospective buyers may also love pets, evidence of pets living in a home can be a major drawback for some buyers. They may assume that there are smells, stains or scratches throughout the home that have already soiled their first impression of the space. Remove all toys, odors and other signs that your furry friend called this house a home too.
8. Don't Forget About Curb Appeal
   Staging is much more than just the interior. Your exterior should also be staged appropriately. In fact, many real estate agents will tell you that curb appeal is one of the most important factors in selling your home. Head outside and tidy up your lawn, driveway, backyard and surrounding property.
9. Don't Over or Under Stage
   It's easier to over-stage your home than to under-stage it simply because most sellers believe that you can never have too much of a good thing. However, an elaborately staged home that looks unnatural is just as bad as an under-staged home that appears neglected. Make sure you're staging the home in a balanced way. Focus on rooms like the common areas and limit your staging in places like bedrooms and storage spaces.
10. Ask for Outside Advice
    Remember, you're not alone when selling your home. Your real estate agent will be happy to help you stage your space. You can even hire a professional staging company to ensure that it looks as presentable as possible.

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