Real Estate Staging is the process of preparing a home for sale. Staging is really about un-decorating and removing years of living, collecting & decorating so a buyer can visualize themselves living in the home. When a seller "lets go" of some of their own things, it then gives permission for the buyer to buy! As a realtor, the preparation of a home for sale can be a difficult subject to approach with a seller. Some things are obvious such as warn, dirty carpeting that needs to be replaced. Or maybe there are minor repairs needed throughout the home. But sometimes a home is in good condition but needs a little "TLC" before that first showing.

Here are the top 5 things to tell your sellers.

1. YOU DON'T LIVE IN YOUR HOME THE SAME WAY YOU SELL YOUR HOME - Many of the items that you showcase for the home you live in may need to be eliminated when your home is being shown to potential buyers. This does not mean that those items are not beautiful or important. It just means that they may be a deterrent to a buyer.

2. SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE - While you may need places for 6 family members to sit and watch television, having several extra chairs in a room may make it appear smaller. Therefore you may need to remove some of the extra furniture in a room.

3. YOU HOME MUST BE CLEAN - It is important for your home to be clean when you begin to bring in buyers. If you cannot do a thorough cleaning yourself, you may want to hire a professional cleaning company. Everything should be as clean as possible, including windows, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, floors, carpets, grout etc.

4. YOU ARE SETTING A "STAGE" - You want your home to be cozy, colorful & inviting. It's the little things you do like adding decorative soaps in the bathroom, setting the dining room for a romantic dinner, or lighting candles. (only if someone will be there to blow them out!) These are some of the things that will make your house feel like a HOME.

5. MOVING DAY IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER... START PACKING NOW! Many closets and cupboards are full of extra items. Start packing up those items now and put them in the storage, or in your garage. You want each closet, cupboard & countertop to appear spacious and uncluttered.

In addition to these 5 areas, there are some other very simple things a homeowner can do to add appeal to their home. Paint the front door and buy a new welcome mat. Pack away those worn tattered towels in the bath and replace with some new ones. Remove all personal photos from the home, especially from the refrigerator. Remove everything from the closet floors. Be sure the windows are sparkling clean.

Lastly, on the day of a showing open all blinds so the home is bright. Play some soft music. Turn on at least 1 light every room, including the closets, so there is a soft, warm glow throughout the home. If you must place air fresheners in every room be sure they are the same fragrance. Vacuum & dust before the showing if possible, so everything feels clean. If homeowners will just spend a little time preparing their homes for sale they will be amazed at the positive feedback they will receive. Hopefully, their extra time and effort will be reflected in a quicker sale and a large profit.

Julie Martelo is the owner of Time To Redesign. They specialize in Interior Redesign, Real Estate Staging, Move In Services, and Color & Decorating Consultations. Time To Redesign services the Sarasota-Bradenton area in South West Florida. No job is too small. From painting 1 wall in your home to competely decorating the entire home, we have a service that will meet your needs. Give us a call today at 941-704-3944.