Staging... does it work?
Answers from Lisa Beggs of Lisa B's Designs

• One goal in staging your home is to neutralize the personality of your home so that when the prospective buyer walks through the front door, they will start mentally and visually moving in.  They are able to start placing themselves, their furniture and accessories through out the property.  They see that this home is "their" space, not "your" space.
  
  
• The rule of thumb for closets is to have them only 1/3 to 1/2 full.  You want the buyer to see space for their things.
  
  
• Paint is the cheapest investment with the biggest return.  Neutralize the colors in your home so that they do not stand out but blend softly and create a flow all throughout the home.  If buyers walk through the door and see paint colors that are trendy and far from neutral, they start their "to do" list which may hurt your home when compared with others.  Buyers love "move-in" ready homes.  Painting will put your home one step closer to "move-in" ready.
  
  
• How does the entrance to your home look?  Is it warm and inviting?  Does your front door need a fresh coat of paint or a new kick plate?  Is your doormat worn out and dirty?  Do you need a pretty topiary in an urn or a colorful pot of flowers sitting by the front door? Freshening up a few things will add to that first impression and your buyer will walk through the front door with an open mind.  First impressions are hard to win back if they started out wrong.  Make that first impression a "wow" impression and your buyer will view your home with a positive attitude before they step through the door.