We have covered prepping your home before listing but only briefly touched on staging. It truly is a very important aspect as it not only allows your potential buyer to see themselves inside the home, but also downplays any drawbacks of the home as well as highlights the perks.

Staging Tip 1.) Make sure there isn’t any clutter. This is one of the most important tips and something you have probably heard several times. Not only is clutter distracting, but it can make a home look smaller.

Staging Tip 2.) Great lighting is another home staging tip that is really important as it makes a home look warm and welcoming. If a home is improperly lighted, it can make the house look small and dark. There are three types of lighting you should have. Accent lighting, tables or walls, Ambient lighting, overhead and Task lighting for reading or underneath cabinets. Try and achieve 100 watts for every 50 sq ft and your home should be adequately lit.

Staging Tip 3.) Make It Bigger. You don’t have to take out building permits and meet with an architect and contractor for this one. Not only is this easy, but also relatively affordable too. If a space seems small, paint it the same color as surroundings rooms. This will make a few rooms seem like one big space.

Staging Tip 4.) Make your wall hangings different. Displaying art creatively not only stands out, but it shows off the space better. Break the mold with your art and do something a bit different and unexpected.

Staging Tip 5.) Bring the outside in. Flowers are not only welcoming and smell nice but also add a great splash of seasonal color. You don’t need to spend a small fortune on flower arrangements. Simply go out to your garden and put together a few bouquets of fresh flowers of your very own.

Staging Tip 6.) Turn your bedroom into a serene retreat. Create a relaxing bedroom setting. If you can create a space where a potential buyer wants to hang out longer, chances are your home will be at the top of their list.  Use soft colors, luxurious linens and neutral patterned bedding. Don’t forget to delutter that master closet! Showing off your storage space is another great way to stay on the buyers mind.

Staging Tip 7.) Get a facelift. Not everyone can afford an expensive remodel, and even so it is still debatable whether it is really worth it to spend an exorbitant amount of money remodeling before you sell. If your cabinets need a bit of sprucing up, you can either repaint or stain, or get new fronts for doors and drawers. New hardware is also an affordable update and if you want to update your dishwasher, reach out to the manufacturer and see if you can replace the front panel.

Staging Tip 8.) Finish what you started. Unfinished projects can scare buyers off, so make sure any loose ends are tied up before you list. Considering they will be cheaper to do it yourself then what a buyer might request off the asking price, it is worth it to get it done ahead of time.

Staging Tip 9.) Group furniture appropriately. People seem to think that pushing furniture against the wall makes for a bigger space. That isn’t always the case. Reposition living room furniture into a group that sets the stage for a cozy conversation. Make sure traffic flow in a room isn’t congested and it is easy to move about.

Staging Tip 10.) Repurpose rooms. Several homes feature that one extra room that is essentially the junk drawer of the house. If you are looking to sell, consider creating a cause for that room. Whether it is an extra office, spare bedroom, play room or even yoga room, give it a purpose.

If you are looking to list your home and feel that more staging is required, contact Peter Delilli at 530-308-4331. With years of Lake Tahoe real estate experience, he can advise and assist in the pre listing preparations as well as the whole entire real estate transaction.