Life is messy. Our homes are our own reflection and if we are worn out and tired; our homes may feel that way too. Actives lives and families can lead to a house that looks lived in. There is nothing wrong with the ‘lived in’ look unless you are trying to sell your house.

The sellers who emotionally disconnect from their home allow a potential homebuyer to connect to it. Staging is the bond that connects buyers to homes. If it looks good and feels good, someone can picture himself or herself living there. The turn off can be too much of that lived in or neglected look.

Repeatedly I am asked by sellers and Realtors to look at a house online to access why it isn’t selling. The online photos are the first walk through. If it doesn’t feel like home in the photos, it won’t get showings. A recent viewing of a listing showed no dining area. If the heart of the home is the kitchen and there is no place to share a meal, how can anyone envision living there? Overall, the house felt sad. If you are downsizing, don’t sell your dining set till after the photo shoot.

It is all about energy. How a home is cared for and presented will be reflected online. Everyone lives differently but there are basic points to keep in mind when preparing for sale. Most involves sweat equity. Other situations involve staging by renting furnishings via a staging company to create a lifestyle to connect to.

One size does not fit all. Every house has different staging needs. Dated furniture, offensive odors, strong colors, lack of pretty things can be a problem. Overly decorated furnished homes are distracting. Staging mantra is ‘less is more’ to showcase the architecture and space of each room.

Indoor staging tips

• De-clutter and deep clean everything, every nook and cranny, every closet and cabinet.
• If it is not moving with you, get rid of it: trash, donate, sell or pass it on. Do keep items for staging purposes, especially for photos.
• That paint color you loved in a house may not work in your house. Not all grays are the same. Depending on contents of home, lighting, trim, grays can be too cool, too blue, or too green. Choose wisely.
• Fresh white towels are nice but not always ideal when it comes to staging. Depending on the finishes of the bathroom, cream or tan either solid or patterned with light gray may be warmer and look nicer than white.

Summer seasonal outdoor tips

• Create an outdoor lifestyle by showcasing the offerings of the house and property. Stage the front porch, deck, patio, pool area, etc.
• Pretty floral planters and hanging baskets add color and life to the property.
• Think pristine: power-wash the exterior, clean the windows, and mow the lawn.
• Paint the front door, steps and porch if needed and don’t forget a nice welcome mat. If the front entry is unwelcoming and tired, it can be a preview of the interior and an instant turnoff.

My best advice is to let go of perfection. You’re selling a lifestyle, which can be beautifully imperfect and quite appealing to the next homeowner.