Are you preparing to sell in 2014? If so, there are several ideas and tips that are useful for staging a home. What exactly is staging a home?  Staging a home is a way to promote a home in the real estate market through using professionals who come in and arrange a home in such a way that it gives a savvy first impression to potential home buyers.

Staging experts are different from real estate experts. While a real estate agent knows the ins and outs of selling and closing, design may not be an area of expertise they are familiar with so this is when experienced assistance is best.  So, with that said, what would a staging expert do? They work with the layout and flow of a home to eliminate clutter, change around furniture and doing an overall assistance with the appeal of the home. 

With that being said, not everyone selling a home has the advantage of using the services of a staging professional. Here are some tips on how to do it yourself that can help with making that all-important positive first impression on a potential buyer: 

• Put personal collections away someplace safe, like in a bank or a secure area in your home. This will cut down on clutter.
• It's a good idea to slap on a fresh coat of paint to help accentuate room space.
• Fix all running toilets and sinks. A leak could lead a potential buyer into thinking there are other problems with the home.
• Remember that "outside" is the new "inside." Show off all living areas of the home including outdoor spaces that tend to be overlooked.
• Take some time to visit a model home and observe how these homes are laid out and get some ideas for utilizing space and furniture arrangement.
• Grind a lemon in the garbage disposal. Sounds silly but it helps reduce the smell made by the disposal and gives a fresh scent to the kitchen area.
• If plants are on display, make sure they aren't molded or dead. Even little touches such as this can make a big difference.
• Solicit outside opinion – use a few friends for feedback on their thoughts about what would look best from their perspective. You will be surprised what a difference it can make!

Finally, make a point to keep the house clean and well kept on a regular basis. Once the home is staged, keep it that way so if there is an opportunity to showcase there isn't a panic about having the house ready in time. Proactive efforts can lead to the big sale