by Lynn Nadler

With the current real estate market being what it is, aside from pricing your home competitively, what else can you, as the seller, do to help ensure a quicker sale? 

You can "stage" your home.

Staging is a theatrical term which is appropriate in this context because, as a seller, you want your home to have a dramatic effect on the buyer from the moment he or she steps out of the car.  This is known as the "wow" factor and its significance cannot be overstated.

This dramatic effect can be created through the use of color, placement of furniture, accessorizing, lighting, and scent.  The way a seller lives in the home and the way he or she presents it to potential buyers can be very different. 

One of the biggest tasks faced by sellers is getting rid of their "stuff".  It's very unusual that a seller does not need to purge his house of extraneous items.  Sometimes it's necessary to rent a storage unit or pod to create a feeling of spaciousness.

It's often not necessary to spend a lot of money to get your home ready to sell.  It may involve some "sweat equity" instead!   Cleanliness is one of the most important qualities of a well-staged home.  Walk through the house with all the lights on and see if there are cobwebs, dust or dirt.  Scrutinize the house inch by inch and then thoroughly clean it down to the ductwork, baseboards and hot water tank.

Additional suggestions that don't involve a big expenditure include placing book and/or magazines on nightstands and coffee tables, arranging some fresh flowers, setting up a breakfast tray on or near a bed and placing candles around a whirlpool tub. 

Sometimes it is necessary to spend some money to get your home ready to sell.  Items such as fresh paint, new carpet, countertops, lighting fixtures and cabinet hardware can help a home sell more quickly and receive a higher price.  Buyers do not like wallpaper, so it's always a good idea to remove it before putting the house on the market.

For those sellers who are unsure of where to start to get their home ready to sell, consult a Realtor.  An experienced and knowledgeable Realtor can steer you in the right direction.  Another option is to can hire a professional stager who will not only tell you what needs to be done, but will often do the work for you!