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Have you ever staged a house?

I plan to spend my weekend helping a relative get her house ready for market. As an HGTV junkie, I feel up to the task, even excited! I watch Love It or List It, House Hunters International, Property Brothers–so you might say I’ve mastered Home Staging 101. Still, though, I reached out to some Realtors I know who were kind enough to give me some tips.

1) Less is more. Every real estate agent I spoke with said these words. Too much furniture, too many knick-knacks, crowded walkways… do not help you sell your home. So were are removing extra furniture and accessories to make the place seem more spacious.

2) Closets rule. One of the top reasons people move to a new house is that they need more storage. So we’ll be cleaning out closets to create a sense of space.

3) Light the way. Good lighting is important to make a positive first impression. Open blinds, put floor lamps in dark corners, replace dim bulbs with higher-wattage bulbs. In many cases, agents showing a home will simply flip on the overhead light switch, but not take the time to turn on lamps. So make sure there is adequate overhead light or put lamps on a timer.

4) Out with the fake, in with the real. Dusty silk flower arrangements in every corner do not impress prospective buyers. Get rid fake greenery and go with one or two real plants, or even a simple fresh flower arrangement in a prominent spot, like the kitchen counter.

Can you add to these ideas? All tips are welcome! Tomorrow I’ll be up with the sun to get to work.

In other news, I am launching a new website this week! I hope you’ll take a look at www.lauragriffin.com. Don’t miss the Contest page, where I’m giving away a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card and a signed copy of EXPOSED.