How do you prepare your home for staging and showings?

If you're a first-time home seller, you might be wondering how to make your property stand out in the competitive market. One of the most effective ways to attract buyers and increase your chances of getting a good offer is to stage your home for showings. Staging is the process of preparing your home to look its best and appeal to the widest range of buyers. It involves decluttering, cleaning, decorating, and highlighting your home's features and benefits. Here are some tips on how to prepare your home for staging and showings.

Key takeaways from this article

Enlist professional expertise:

Hiring a professional stager can make your home more appealing. They provide neutral advice on furniture placement, color schemes, and necessary repairs to showcase your home's potential.### *Embrace minimalism:Decluttering and depersonalizing create a spacious, neutral environment. This helps buyers envision themselves living in the space, increasing the likelihood of receiving strong offers.

This summary is powered by AI and these experts

1 Hire a professional stager

Unless you have a flair for interior design and a lot of time and resources, it's best to hire a professional stager to help you with your home staging. A stager is an expert who knows how to showcase your home's potential and create a positive impression on buyers. A stager can also advise you on what to repair, replace, or remove before listing your home. You can find a reputable stager by asking your real estate agent, searching online, or checking reviews and portfolios.

Add your perspective

Judy Burke

Real Estate Broker Associate, REALTOR® at eXp Realty of California, Inc. | DRE #01883062
Report contribution
When preparing to sell your home, you need a realistic perspective and a fresh set of eyes. To the rescue: the professional stager with an interior design background. Here's the thinking. You see your home every day. Every. Single. Day. You stop noticing. Plus, living in it is not the same as marketing it. You need a frank, neutral opinion. That's where marketing and the stager come in. The goal is to wow that future buyer. The stager recommends where to best place your furniture for photos, paint colors if needed, what to eliminate (decluttering and pre-packing). Your real estate agent can also advise and may know excellent local stagers. Staging can really pay off. That's the bottom line goal, isn't it, to get a higher price?

Like
Liz Larson

Im an expert home stager helping home sellers elevate their property to achieve added value with a strategic and personalized step by step staging plan / Home Staging Consultation / 2hr in person / same day report
Report contribution
By delivering detailed reports on the same day, w empower sellers with actionable insights to transform their spaces effectively. The report is full of suggestions allowing home sellers to optimize the presentation of their properties, unlocking the property's full potential.

Like

2 Declutter and depersonalize

One of the most important steps in staging your home is to declutter and depersonalize it. You want to create a spacious, clean, and neutral environment that allows buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. To declutter, get rid of any excess or unnecessary items, such as clothes, books, toys, papers, or knickknacks. You can donate, sell, or store them in a separate location. To depersonalize, remove any personal items, such as family photos, trophies, religious symbols, or political signs. You want to avoid distracting or alienating buyers with your personal taste or preferences.

Add your perspective

Liz Larson

Im an expert home stager helping home sellers elevate their property to achieve added value with a strategic and personalized step by step staging plan / Home Staging Consultation / 2hr in person / same day report
Report contribution
Decluttering a home when preparing to sell is often simpler than anticipated. If the ultimate goal is to move, then packing is an inevitable step in the process. Every experienced home stager emphasizes the necessity of decluttering, highlighting its direct impact on enhancing the property's appeal. By addressing clutter proactively, sellers not only streamline the selling process but also significantly boost the perceived value of their home.

Like

3 Clean and sanitize

Another essential step in staging your home is to clean and sanitize it thoroughly. You want to make sure your home looks and smells fresh and inviting. To clean, dust, vacuum, mop, and wipe every surface, corner, and crevice in your home. Pay special attention to areas that buyers tend to inspect closely, such as the kitchen, bathrooms, closets, and windows. To sanitize, use disinfectants and deodorizers to eliminate any germs, odors, or stains. You can also use natural products, such as vinegar, baking soda, or lemon, to freshen up your home.

Add your perspective

4 Decorate and accessorize

Once you have a clean and clutter-free home, you can start decorating and accessorizing it to make it more attractive and cozy. The key is to use simple, neutral, and modern elements that complement your home's style and color scheme. You can use items such as pillows, throws, rugs, lamps, plants, flowers, candles, or artwork to add some warmth, texture, and personality to your home. However, don't overdo it or use anything too flashy, trendy, or controversial. You want to create a balance between style and function.

Add your perspective

5 Highlight your home's features

Another tip for staging your home is to highlight your home's features and benefits. You want to showcase what makes your home unique and desirable, such as the layout, the view, the amenities, the upgrades, or the location. You can do this by arranging your furniture, lighting, and accessories to emphasize your home's strengths and minimize its weaknesses. For example, you can use mirrors, curtains, or plants to create a sense of space, light, or privacy. You can also use signs, labels, or flyers to point out any special features or details that buyers might miss or appreciate.

Add your perspective

Liz Larson

Im an expert home stager helping home sellers elevate their property to achieve added value with a strategic and personalized step by step staging plan / Home Staging Consultation / 2hr in person / same day report
Report contribution
Undressing windows is our top staging tip. Natural light is an excellent feature to highlight, and its free and easy to achieve.

Like

6 Prepare for showings

The final step in staging your home is to prepare for showings, which are opportunities for buyers to see your home in person and decide if they want to make an offer. To ensure your home is ready and welcoming for each showing, check the weather and adjust the temperature, lighting, and ventilation accordingly. Turn on all lights and open curtains and blinds. Make sure your home is clean, tidy, and odor-free. Additionally, remove pets, valuables, or personal items from the premises. Leave brochures, business cards, or feedback forms for buyers and agents, then leave the premises so that your agent can handle the showing. Staging your home can help you sell it faster and for a higher price. Follow these tips to prepare your home for staging and showings and impress potential buyers.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

How do you prepare your home for staging and showings?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Hire a professional stager

2 Declutter and depersonalize

3 Clean and sanitize

4 Decorate and accessorize

5 Highlight your home's features

6 Prepare for showings

7 Here’s what else to consider

Working with First-Time Home Buyers

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Working with First-Time Home Buyers

More relevant reading