Home staging can help sellers find buyers

Image is everything when preparing to show your home to prospective buyers, which is why many sellers consider home staging.

More than simply removing clutter and rearranging furniture, home staging works to create "flow" and increase a home's overall appeal. Many Realtors today are certified in home staging, while others work alongside accredited professional stagers to service clients.

"Staging a home is like frosting a cake -- it's the finishing touch," said Jim McEneaney, senior regional vice president, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

"It makes a home more desirable to buyers and puts sellers in a better position to secure their asking price."

To better understand the staging process, here are a few tools of the trade.

Look through the buyer's eyes. It's difficult to be objective when looking at your own home because there's an emotional attachment to it, which is where your Realtor and home stager come in to offer third-party insight. They can catch things you won't.

Think open spaces. When buyers walk through your home, you want them to have clear paths into each room. Clear the clutter, such as electrical cords, extra appliances and even excess furniture that make rooms appear crowded.

Let there be light. Open shades and drapes and move furniture that may block windows to let natural light shine in and give the interior a bright, cheerful feel. For evening showings, use lamps to brighten a room and add atmosphere.

Don't forget the exterior. If buyers don't like what they see on the outside, you can bet they won't be interested in seeing what's on the inside. Otherwise known as curb appeal, create a charming outward appearance with well-designed landscaping or giving the front door or shutters a fresh coat of paint.