Staging your home is one of the easiest and most cost-effective things you can do when selling. Easy, because it only takes a little bit of your time and cost-effective, because it doesn’t require you to take out a second mortgage to complete the task! Read on for some easy tips for staging your home to get it sold FAST!

Tip 1: Clear away clutter

Walk through the rooms and take note of any tabletops or surface areas that have accumulated clutter. Clear the mail and small items off of your kitchen counter. Hide the pile of books on your nightstand. If you have decorative items on display, group them in groups of three and pack up the rest.

Tip 2: Depersonalize

That photo wall you love may bring a smile to your face every time you see it, but buyers want to envision themselves in your home. It can be distracting for potential buyers if there are photos of your family all over the walls or religious items on display. Take a few moments to depersonalize your home by removing these items.

Tip 3: Remove all evidence of pets

If possible, remove your pet’s food and water bowls and make sure the couch and beds are free of pet hair. While it is possible the potential buyers may be dog lovers like you, it is also possible they may not.

Tip 4: Remove excess furniture

A good rule when staging your home is to remove at least one piece of furniture from each room. Either rent a small storage unit, ask a family or friend to store a few items short-term, or neatly stack the furniture in a corner of the garage. This helps your rooms to feel open and inviting.

Tip 5: Add flowers and candles

After removing all of your clutter, personal items, evidence of pets, and a few pieces of furniture, it is time to finally add something! Grab a few inexpensive bouquets of carnations (they last forever!) and some neutral smelling candles or potpourri (vanilla is a safe bet) and put them out in the main living areas of your home.

Finally, have fun with staging your home and try not to stress too much. The right buyer is sure to come along and fall in love with your home. If you are in the market to sell your home or would like more staging ideas, please contact me!