Sellers who want a competitive edge for the sale of their property are turning to ‘staging’. What is staging and how is it likely to add buyer appeal and selling dollars to your home?

Staging is an extension of the presentation activities that most motivated sellers have always done when preparing their home for sale. It involves a more professional presentation of your home to attract the attention of increasingly savvy buyers; in fact you may want to use professional staging personnel to help you get it right – for a fee of course.

While staging starts with cleaning and attention to details of maintenance, it doesn’t end there. Those who are serious about staging their property should consider spending money on an interior decorator, taking notes of their suggestions on a room by room basis; an hour or two of their time won’t break the bank and could be an investment that yields dollars in the final sale price.

If you don’t want to go that far, invite a friend or a real estate agent over and get them to do a frank assessment. Their objective comments will probably activate thoughts you have almost had yourself but have been to busy to let surface. Make sure you pick up a few recent home decorating magazines and tab pages with ideas you could do easily to make your home look fresh and modern. Buyers must identify with your lifestyle, and while they may be as frantic and time-poor as you, your home must seem to offer sanctuary and a space for everything.

If you don’t want to go that far, invite a friend or a real estate agent over and get them to do a frank assessment. Their objective comments will probably activate thoughts you have almost had yourself but have been to busy to let surface. Make sure you pick up a few recent home decorating magazines and tab pages with ideas you could do easily to make your home look fresh and modern. Buyers must identify with your lifestyle, and while they may be as frantic and time-poor as you, your home must seem to offer sanctuary and a space for everything.

The following quick staging tips will get you started:

• Stage an office if you don’t have one. Many home buyers work from home at least part of the time. If you don’t have a room, use a walk-in wardrobe, enclosed verandah or other unused corner. Make sure there is a convenient electrical and phone supply and a computer set up looking busy.
• In the kitchen, reduce clutter by two thirds. Benches tend to attract appliances and utensil jars. Put them away in cupboards or drawers. Clear window sills. You will be surprised by how much you can throw out. After all, you will need to do this when you move house anyway. Remove reminder notes and kids' paintings from fridge doors. Place a bowl of fresh fruit on the table or breakfast bar.
• Make your entry work. First impressions do count. Install a hallstand or hall table with a mirror over it in your hallway if you don’t already have one and place a bowl of fresh flowers on it. If you already have a hallstand or table, clear away the clutter that everyone dumps on their way in.
• Window coverings can age a house. Less is more. Buyers today are put off by layers and layers of blinds and curtains. They want more light and less fabric. Layered sheers are a no-no.
• If you need to paint your house, remember to use neutral colours that create light and will work with most furniture.
• A small but surprisingly important touch. If you have a dog, get a new dog bowl. Grubby animal habitats do not add buyer appeal's