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 Are you ready to put your home on the market? Even more to the point, is your home ready? Proper staging can make a world of difference in whether your home gets a good offer, and in how long it sits on the market. Read on for some tips and tricks to have your house in order for a quick and successful sale.

Sneak a Peek at the Competition

Whether you bought your home in recent years or long ago, a brushing up on what’s happening in the local market can help you formulate your staging plans. The market often changes from season to season, so with that in mind, take a look at local listings and review what other sellers are doing. For example, you can review what’s available in Weston (as well as the average sale price of homes, which is currently $430,000) with a quick online search, and glean some ideas about how the properties are being presented.

It can also be a boon to visit open house events in the area. As MoneyCrashers explains, visiting an open house is typically done when you’re developing search criteria for your next abode. That’s a great benefit, but as a seller, you can also learn more about what other sellers are doing, and you will probably pick up on what house hunters are drawn to, as well as what they dislike. Make some mental notes, then be ready to take action!

Clean and Uncluttered

Two of the keys to a great home presentation are cleaning and decluttering. Begin by cleaning every room and every storage space thoroughly. Buyers will be looking in all the nooks and crannies, and dirt can leave the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.

Next, declutter; as A Personal Organizer notes, you need to declutter beyond the quality of life decluttering that everyone is talking about. Remove items that make the house feel like home - books, laundry, extra hygiene products - anything but the most basic items should be removed and stowed. Leave only the bare necessities, and that which will convey the purpose of the space.

Furnish Thoughtfully

The furniture in your home can help or hurt your presentation. Some sellers think an empty room is ideal, but generally speaking, you want at least one piece of furniture displayed that tells what the space is used for. For instance, if you have a flex room, set it up with one clear purpose. A desk creates a home office space, or a mat, some bands, and a few weights make it a home gym. Choose one significant piece to be the anchor of each room, such as a bed in a bedroom, and then arrange around it.

As far as specific rooms, your living room should be set up with the entryway clear, and arrange pieces with about three feet of elbow room to navigate comfortably. Don’t push furniture against the walls since that can make the room unwelcoming, and if you have an area rug, each piece of furniture should have feet on the rug. This will create a logical traffic pattern so that the room flows comfortably.  In the kitchen, round out your uncluttered, spick-and-span, tidy space with a plant and some fresh fruit.

Examine the Exterior

Home staging isn’t just about your interior. If your home’s exterior isn’t presented attractively, house hunters are far less likely to ever walk through the front door. Improve the curb appeal of your home by sprucing up the landscaping, mowing, buying a new welcome mat, and adding potted plants to flank the entryway. If your house numbers or the door’s hardware look grungy, replace them (you can buy a new door knob on Amazon for $21.99). Before you install the new hardware, add a fresh coat of paint to your front door. Selecting a trendy color to welcome house hunters is the perfect finishing touch!

Before you list your home, make sure it’s ready for pictures, showings, and open house events. It should be clean, uncluttered, and welcoming to catch house hunters’ eyes. With these simple and affordable tips and tricks, you’ll be moving on in no time!