You’ve just bought your “move-up” home and you’re envisioning yourself eating at your new CaesarStone breakfast bar. But consciousness snaps you back to reality—along with the realization that the humble abode you currently own must be sold in order to afford the next (now legally binding) step. The days of giving your home a quick vacuum and putting out freshly baked goods are long gone. Welcome to the world of “staging” (a.k.a. fluffing) your home.

“No one sells a car without having it detailed and cleaned,” says Marina Gutierrez, president of Parting Impressions, a professional real estate staging firm. The same is true for selling a home, she says. Creative staging not only improves the condition of your property but also helps secure more equity and decreases the amount of time your home sits on the market. Here’s how to move your existing property quickly—and get the biggest payoff.

DECLUTTER
Knick-knacks, misplaced items, overly stuffed closets and rooms—get rid of it all. Put all the excess in storage if you must. “It’s very difficult for potential buyers to see beyond distractions,” says Gutierrez. The key is for prospective buyers to be able to envision how their stuff will fit into your space.

NEUTRALIZE
While your love for the colour purple might render your home an individualist’s paradise, the odds of finding a kindred spirit are doubtful. Gutierrez says to dress the space in designs and colours that are pleasing to the majority of people.

FIX IT
There’s nothing worse than visual signs that scream “Big money required here!” says Gutierrez. So open up your chequebook and fix those water stains and leaky faucets—it will add value to your selling price.

CLEAN
That means scrub—hard. “Intensive cleaning is absolutely essential,” says Gutierrez. “There’s nothing positive associated with dirt.”
It communicates a sense of neglect.

GET FRESH
While fragrant flowers are a must, nasty odours are a big no-no. Avoid cooking that cabbage until after your open house.

CURB IT
A home’s curb appeal will speak first to any buyer—first impressions matter big time—so make sure the grass is cut, the weeds are eradicated, the flower beds are well kept, and the porch has a fresh coat of paint.

To find a home stager near you, visit canadianstagingprofessionals.com.