by Jennie LaBuda

"Staging" a home for sale is simply preparing it for sale so that it makes the best possible first impression on buyers.  This can involve everything from a thorough cleaning to painting and furniture re-arranging, but the idea is to make the buyer fall in love with the home and picture himself and his family living there.

Staging seems to be quite difficult for many people because, for the first time, the homeowner must work to make his home somewhat impersonal.  Up to this point, he has spent lots of time and money making the house reflect his personality and tastes and now, he needs to do just the opposite.  Although it may seem like a daunting task, it is important that he focus on the new journey that he will take by moving on from the old home to the new one.

Despite the difficulties of letting go of the past, if a seller is truly dedicated to the goal of moving into his future home, it is key that he focus on the task at hand: staging.  Here are a few tips for sellers to help them prepare their home for sale:

  • Curb Appeal - It is essential that a home look its absolute best from the outside.  People who pass by the property or see the home's picture online or in an ad must be intrigued enough to take the time to go inside, especially with such a vast inventory of homes available today.  Oprah Winfrey's decorator extraordinaire, Nate Berkus, was quoted as saying, "Make your home feel like the most welcome house on the block so buyers fall in love with it as soon as they pull up.  Let them picture themselves hanging out on the front porch."
  • Clear Up Clutter - Cleaning off counters and tabletops can reduce the amount of disorder in a home, making the space feel larger.  Organizing your cabinets, closets, storage units and even your garage can make a difference.  Buyers notice everything and the slightest detail can cost you the sale of your home.  "Decluttering and cleaning are the two most important things sellers can do to get their house ready for showings." says Jon Boyd, GRI.
  • Take Some Risks, but consult your Realtor -- Some home stagers feel that it is important to keep some individuality in your home.  This can be tricky because buyers want to see the possibilities of the house and picture their own furniture in it.  Although it is valuable to have your own sense of style, make sure that what is seen are the options.  Your preferences should not be in the forefront, but rather they should compliment the wonderful characteristics of your home.

Finally, selling your home is a great time to do many of the things you planned to do for many of the years you have lived in the house.  It is a good chance to focus on organization and the next phase of your life.  Take advantage of this time to prepare for your future, not to maintain the past.