Our phone is still ringing; buyers are still out there hoping to purchase a home.   Many of these buyers don't feel the "sense of urgency"  that they felt a year ago.  They are looking more carefully at the home and potential home maintenance costs. Because inventory is up, it is more critical than ever for seller's to stage their home for sale. 

Home staging can be a variety of formats.  Some home stagers will bring in furniture and accessories, the more typical home staging is simply a consultation meeting with an interior decorator (or home stager).  Issues addressed will be:  rearranging furniture, creating traffic flows and decluttering.  The stager may also make recommendations regarding paint and color and replacement of counter tops or old appliances. Remember the stagers recommendations are just that, "recommendations" it is the home seller's decision as to which recommendations they will complete (often just the ones that don't cost anything)!

The stager's goal is to make the home inviting, and to clearly define living spaces throughout the home.  Typically the stager will create a focal point in each room (perhaps the fireplace or a picture window).  Furniture will be rearranged and sometimes removed so that there is room to easily navigate through each room.  Imagine the Realtor showing the prospective buyer (and entourage) your home... there should be enough space for this "group" to easily walk into the room and peek in closets; tight squeezes are magnified because the group peering into the closet is often more than one person.  

Decluttering - picture a builder's model home and you get the idea. Closets should be neat and tidy and not jam packed; the same with kitchen and bathroom cupboards. Countertops should be cleared of all but the most essential items to create the illusion of more space - why draw the buyer's eye to your vibrant pottery collection, when the buyer's eye should be drawn to the beautiful cabinets or countertops (think focal point)?  Front and back porches: remove the dead potted plants, patio furniture should be inviting. 

Many Realtors will offer sellers a complimentary home staging consultation or walk through the home with the seller and make their own recommendations.  I personally work with an interior decorator who stages all of my listings.  I feel that my additional expense is well worth the money.  Staged homes sell more quickly and often bring the seller higher sales dollars.