Home staging is the process of preparing a house for sale in such a way that it creates immediate buyer interest. Staging combines basic marketing philosophies with design principles. The result... a house that is market-ready and appealing to a wide variety of buyers. Follow these staging tips and techniques to help get your house in prime showing condition.

1. De-clutter: Start the packing process early by removing the clutter in your house. Small knick-knacks, collectibles, excess toys, and miscellaneous papers should all be removed before showing your house to buyers. Removing clutter will instantly increase the visual size of your room. Remember, you are selling your house not your stuff.
2. De-personalize: Continue packing by removing personal photos, awards, collectibles, and other individualized items. De-personalizing your home allows buyers to envision themselves living in the house. When buyers see your personal photos or collectibles displayed in the house, the only person they can imagine in the house is you.
3. Clean: You are in competition with many other houses as well as new construction homes. Make your house feel as fresh as possible by thoroughly cleaning everything from light fixtures to baseboards. This will help to eliminate any odors left by pets, smoking, or cooking. Don't rely on candles or heavy room sprays to cover up unwanted scents; it is best to get rid of the source of the odor.
4. Arrange Furniture: Furniture layout determines the visual size and "flow" of the room. Take note of how the furniture is placed in your house. Is there a focal point in each room? Are there easy pathways around the furniture? Try a few different layouts to see what looks best. Move unneeded pieces to the garage or a storage unit.
5. Color Choices: Freshen up outdated or dirty walls with a new coat of paint. Painting is the least expensive way to update a room. Consider soft, neutral colors that appeal to a broad range of buyers while avoiding stark white or paint that is too bright. Choose wisely, wall color sets the atmosphere in a room.
6. Accent Placement: Place only a few, key decorative elements in focal points of each room. Leaving minimal decor pieces allow buyers to see the house and not be distracted by the decorations. Properly placed home accents sell the life-style when you are marketing your house.
7. Ask For Help: When in doubt, call a professional. An Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) can get you started by completing a detailed consultation that any "do-it-yourself-er" should be able to follow. No time to stage your house? An ASP can do the staging for you! To find an ASP in your area, see the Staged Homes Website

The worst thing you can do when selling your home is... nothing. Take a proactive approach to selling your house, and you will see a positive response from buyers. For more information on staging or to view gallery photos of staging projects, visit: www.kfmstaging.com.

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