
Sage Advice - Preparing Your Home for Staging

Clean, Declutter, Depersonalize
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Walk through each room and try to visualize the space from a buyer's perspective.
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Sell, donate or discard anything you don’t need.
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Thoroughly clean the entire home.
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Steam clean carpets and drapes. Consider a carpet care professional.
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Get rid of all dust bunnies. Don’t forget to look up and include light fixtures.
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Repair cracks and holes in the walls.
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Paint interior walls with neutral colors if necessary.
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Remove excess and oversized furniture.
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Rearrange furniture to maximize space and enhance flow.
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Organize room closets and pack up and store out of season clothing.
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Remove all small appliances, toys, magazines, pet items, and toiletries.
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Remove family photos, personal collections and medications.
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Secure valuables.
Appeal to the Senses
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Install higher wattage incandescent light bulbs.
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Open windows to let in fresh air if seasonally appropriate.
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Turn on lights and open curtains or blinds to let in natural light and show off views.
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Turn off TVs.
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Relocate pets.
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Refrain from smoking in the home.
Highlight Your Home's Best Features
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Remove rugs to show off nice flooring.
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Pull back drapes to showcase nice views.
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Stage the front porch or deck with furniture and potted plants.
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Make sure fireplaces are in working condition.
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Clean the backyard
Curb Appeal
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Paint the exterior, including trim, doors, shutters if necessary.
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Check the front door, doorbell, address number and welcome mat.
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Power wash the siding and windows, if necessary.
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Sweep the entryway and walkways.
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Mow, water and trim the edges of the lawn.
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Plant colorful flowers and shrubs.
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Store toys and equipment out of the yard.
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Clean up pet droppings.
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Clean the gutters and downspouts, if necessary.