What is the first thing you notice when you visit a new home? If you said the way they were furnished and decorated then you will understand what home staging is all about. I am sure you liked the kitchen with nothing on the counters and the baths that looked sparkly clean. Beds were made and the bedding was fashionable and clean. Clutter was missing everywhere - no toys, no clothes on chairs and floors, no excess anywhere......

Does your home look like a "model home"? If not, make it look like one and do not put it on the market until you feel that it will pass that new home test. You need to make your home attractive and saleable to buyers. However, you do not need to make major improvements such as a new kitchen etc. Remove excess furniture, declutter, use accessories wisely, replace worn carpeting, paint any walls that need to be spruced up, organize ALL closets and clean, clean clean. Don't forget to include the yard, basement and garage.

New home builders decorate models to help sell their houses ..homes that are staged for sale tend to sell faster and for a higher price. Since your home is not new, you must copy what they do.

To help you with this, visit some new home projects and look at the sample homes. What do you like about the looks of the home as far as furnishings, window coverings, decorations etc. Notice the clever ways that they make the rooms look larger and brighter.

Now go home and see what you can do with your house. You must immediately get rid of years of "stuff". If you want to take "stuff" with you to your next home, rent a storage shed and store "stuff" there until your move. "Stuff" is everywhere - kitchen, basements, garage, kids rooms, all closets, family rooms........ "Stuff" has many names and faces - hobbies, collections, newspapers, magazines, toys, clothes you will wear again, books, trophies, and the list goes on and on and on.

If you feel you do not know what or how to stage your home, there are companies that will stage your home for you. The price you receive for your home usually will cover the cost of this service and then some. A staged home can sell quicker and for a greater price.

Showing your home

Your "stuff" is in storage, or sold at a garage sale, or given to a charity or just thrown away and you are now ready to show your home

Have you checklist:

• Opened curtains and drapes and let the outside in and made the rooms bright and cheerful?
• Turned on lights in EACH room?
• Put fresh flowers inside and flowering plants at front entry outside?
• Painted your front door so that it is fresh and inviting?
• Decluttered every room?
• Beds made, toys put away, bathrooms squeaky clean?
• Kitchen counters bare?