I recommend having a professional home stager do their magic, as the most effective way to shave the days on the market and motivate buyers to offer and close. But if you are on a very tight budget, perhaps focusing on a lower-end market, here are some approaches to adding a little bit of warmth that can help you move this house.

All staging materials should look new. No one wants to move in on someone else’s old stuff. There should be no nicks or dings, and fabric, paint, stain, décor and knick-knacks should look fresh.

Focus on a single purpose in each room.In the kitchen and dining area, a fully-set table with attractive (not too colorful) place settings, some kitchen counter appliances, and a fruit basket looks ready for a home-cooked family meal. The living room can be ready for family movie night, with comfortable seating, throw rugs and perhaps a latest-design tray with popcorn and glasses. Make sure furniture is arranged conversationally, not solely focused on the television and media.

The focus of the beds is the bedspread, visible pillows and the headboard and footboard – what’s between will be out of sight under the bedspread. You can use an air mattress if a bed isn’t easily available. Discount stores have luxurious-looking bedspread-décor packages for reasonable prices.

Silk plants make great accents and can fill large spaces, especially in living areas. Be careful it isn’t so large it makes the room look small. Wall décor is best if it is basic, has neutral colors and doesn’t attract too much attention. You want them to look at the house, not mentally catalog things they will shop for at the decorator store.

Seasonal touches are good – but keep them secular and generic. It is pointless to risk offending someone who was thinking of making an offer.

Staging is an art and a science, based on what has proven to appeal to home buyers. Remember this is not your own home, so you are selecting what has been shown to appeal to the buyer in this market. Make home buyers feel they could be living a comfortable lifestyle in this house, happily ever after!

What has most appealed to you in staged properties you’ve visited?

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