| Once you've decided to sell your home, you're ready | | | | space. Let this be your first goal. If |
| to stage it. But For better or worse, most | | | | things are still a bit cramped, let your friend help you |
| of us are not the pushy stage mothers we need to | | | | identify elements that can be moved or removed to |
| be to make our houses really sell fast. | | | | create a more open and bright atmosphere in each |
|  The truth is, if you've lived in your home | | | | room in the house. Move anything that |
| for a long time you probably have a great deal of | | | | blocks light away from the windows. If your |
| love and memory attached to its quirks and loveable | | | | drapes are dark or outdated, now is the time to take |
| flaws, a tendency that can make the staging process | | | | them down. Pull your furniture away from the walls in |
| a challenge. If you want to sell fast for a good price, | | | | any rooms that are big enough for this. Let people |
| you'll have to harden your heart, and get help! | | | | see what you're selling! Figure out which |
| Living the Dream | | | | rooms need painting to brighten them up. |
| The ultimate goal of the staging process is to make | | | | Create spaces that invite people to use and explore |
| it easy for prospective buyers to see that your | | | | the rooms. |
| home is their dream home. They must be | | | | Step Three: Make it Nice |
| able to imagine themselves living in your | | | | Though many people consider style to be the first |
| house. That their lives will fit inside its walls, | | | | element in staging a house, it should actually be the |
| that the backyard will accommodate their friends, | | | | last. The painting and polishing are the |
| that their style will shine in its embrace and over time | | | | finishing touches that only come after you have done |
| their memories will become comfortably wedged | | | | a huge amount of behind the scenes work. |
| between the floorboards and window sashes of its | | | | Once you've done this properly, you'll probably find |
| rooms. | | | | that the style of each room has revealed |
| Unless you can get to know every buyer beforehand | | | | itself. You only have to amp it up a little. |
| and stage your house specifically for them, you're | | | | Some tips for the final stretch:Â If you have |
| going to have to make room for a wide range of | | | | any pieces of furniture that don't match with the |
| dreams. The best way to do this? Get rid of | | | | rest of the decor in a room, these must be |
| the clutter. Edit, pare down, simplify and let | | | | removed, revamped, or replaced. Identify and make |
| go. | | | | as many small updates and repairs as you |
| Step One:Â Declutter | | | | can:Â old knobs on cupboard doors can be |
| In every room, you want to make sure that the | | | | replaced. Area rugs can be installed. |
| personality of its contents aren't overwhelming the | | | | Paint can be chosen and new curtains can be |
| personality of the space. Cheap knick knacks | | | | hung. Try to keep colors as neutral as |
| from auntie's vacation and sentimental macaroni art | | | | possible. Arrange your furniture to show off |
| projects must exit here. Extra furniture and | | | | the best of what you have. Highlight the |
| hand me downs? Goodbye. Clear off | | | | function and beauty of each room with simple |
| counters, empty and organize cupboards, spring clean | | | | furniture arrangements that invite people to enjoy |
| like you've never done it before. Create space for | | | | the space. Dining room tables and kitchen |
| dreams. Once you've gone through every | | | | tables should always be ready for guests, never |
| room and removed every bit of excess you possibly | | | | pushed against a wall. Your entranceway |
| can - you're ready for step two. | | | | should be free of shoes and coats and other clutter |
| Step Two:Â Declutter Some More | | | | allowing people to enter easily. Bathrooms that evoke |
| Now that you've done as much as you can do on | | | | a spa-like atmosphere are well received and |
| your own, it's time to enlist some help. Invite | | | | bedrooms that appear restful are preferred. |
| the most ruthlessly style conscious person you know | | | | Lighting should be plentiful and soft, giving your |
| to give you a hand with the second sweep. | | | | rooms a healthy glow and banishing dark corners. |
| Alternatively, open the yellow pages and hire an | | | | Don't forget to have fun! |
| interior designer or organizer for the day. | | | | Submitted by the writing team at Smith Bowden Real |
| Now it's time to do the deep declutter, rearrange | | | | Estate in Madison Wisconsin. For more information on |
| furniture, make lists of repairs and renovations and | | | | staging your home or to browse current Madison real |
| begin to turn your home into the future buyer's | | | | estate listings visit us online at or contact one of our |
| dream come true. | | | | realtors today! |
| Every room must have ample amounts of light and | | | | |