In the real estate world staging is important because it prepares your home so that it can be shown in the best possible light to potential buyers. First impressions are very important. If you don’t have money in your budget for a professional home stager, here are some important tips to keep in mind when preparing your house to sell:

• Clean and get rid of clutter. Start packing all your knick knacks and belongings that you can live without while selling your house. Many professional home stagers will even ask you to store pieces of furniture that they see as excessive. The goal is to make the rooms of your house appear larger and more open. It’s a good idea to start packing even before you put your house on the market. You’ll be ahead of the game.
• When staging, create a focal point that’s related to how the buyer might use the room. Keep the furniture to a minimum and arrange it so that there is a sense of openness and good traffic flow.
• Make sure you have good lighting that highlights the room. Clean light bulbs, ceiling fans and lampshades of dust and dirt. When buyers are viewing your home, open blinds and curtains (make sure windows are clean) and turn on key lights for ambiance.
•  The best paint colors for walls in a staged house are neutrals such as warm taupes and off whites and even light greys.
• If your carpet is worn or stained, the most ideal thing to do is replace it. Once again choose a neutral color such as beige. If you can’t afford this option then at least have it cleaned.
• Make sure your house smells good. Cleaning (especially carpets) and clearing out clutter really helps with bad smells. Burn scented candles or better yet bake some cookies or bread right before a showing.

Staging is pretty much common sense. It may take a lot of cleaning and packing but it will pay off in the end and you’ll have a head start on moving after you sell your home!