Home Staging - Tips For Sellers Home staging involves the same commonsense advice that real estate agents have been giving home sellers for decades, but with some fresh additions. The process takes preparations for getting a house ready to sell a bit further, showcasing a house so that home buyers can visualize living there. Professional home stagers are available for hire in many areas. Some home stagers work with your own furnishings to create a new look, while those who do home staging in larger cities often have a warehouse of furniture and accessories to draw from. Some home stagers might expect you to purchase new items. Will home staging help you sell your home? Most definitely yes, but if you're not ready to hire a professional, there are some things you can do to stage the home yourself. Basic Preparations for Home Staging * Clean and spotless are still musts for everything from floors to windows. Remember to clean the oven and other major appliances. Skylights should be crystal-clear. * No offensive odors. They're the first thing buyers notice, and often a permanent turnoff. * Reduce clutter. Put away small kitchen appliances and other items that are sitting on countertops and tables. * Move outside. Clean the drain gutters. Buyers nearly always comment if gutters are full of leaves and it makes them question other maintenance issues. Store or organize items that make the yard look messy. Vacant Homes - Get Ready for Home Staging * Vacant homes often greet agents and buyers with a blast of stale or mildew-laden air. As soon as buyers smell mildew, they are out the door. Have you ever noticed that during cold months the interior of a house without heat always feels colder than it is outside? Leaving the heat or air conditioning running while a home is on the market reduces odors and makes the house more inviting. * Keep the lawn and landscaping tidy, even if you have to hire someone to do it. http://homebuying.about.com/cs/howtosell/ht/homeselling.htm