We have a lot of experience in home staging and a keen eye to help guide you through this part of the process, but here are some ideas to get you started:

•  Less is more – remove enough so that there is some empty space in closets, on shelves and in cabinets. And since you really are moving, this jumpstarts your inevitable packing.

• Remove or hide all small kitchen appliances.

• Remove all refrigerator art, family pictures, school schedules, magnets, calendars, etc.

• Pack up all personal photos.

• Remove personal items from bathroom, tub and showers: Shampoo, toothpaste, brushes, used towel, etc.

• Remove and store seasonal clothes from closets.

• Rent a storage space, if necessary. Remove all visible storage boxes from closets and garage.

• When accessorizing a surface, remember for staging purposes, one is better than two or more.

• Use mirrors when possible as they make a space feel larger.

• Paint the interior of the house and the front door.

• Repair, paint or wash all exterior walls, doors and trim.

• Power-wash exterior concrete or other hardscape to unify surface color to make these areas appear bigger.

• Replace old carpeting and flooring. Be sure that any remaining carpet, drapes or upholstery holds no odors.

• Wash the windows, inside and out. Remove unnecessary screens.

• Arrange a minimum number of fluffy, clean towels in bathroom and put out fresh soap.

• Inside, use fresh flowers in vases or live potted plants.

• Consider eliminating half the furniture to open up the rooms.

• Add flowerpots to patios and decks with enough furniture to show that it is usable living space.

• Landscape. Re-seed or lay fresh sod. Clean our flowerbeds and update plants. Landscaping can outdate a home as much as avocado carpet.

• Air the home by opening windows and doors. Have doorstops handy.

• Repair all plumbing. No dripping faucets or running toilets.

• Clean or repair/replace worn caulking around tubs, sinks and counter tops.

• Deep-clean entire house, including oven, fireplace, frig, garage, etc.

• Enhance fireplace box with candles or decorative logs.

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• It may be worth considering using a staging company to replace or supplement dated or damaged furniture/accessories.