What is House Staging?
Staging is the process of preparing any home for sale, regardless of price or location. Staging is about making a house look terrific, but it's important not to confuse it with interior design. Both involve furniture placement, adding color, and carefully placing just the right accessories, but that's where the similarities end. The goal of interior design is to create an environment that perfectly reflects the style and taste of the home's owner; the focus of staging is to make the house more marketable by creating the most appealing home to the greatest number of prospective buyers. 

10 Reasons that House Staging Pays  

1. Faster sales time
Staged homes sell much more rapidly than non-staged homes do. Marketing experts indicate that staged homes sell 30 to 50% faster in most areas. 

2. Positive impression
First impressions are positive on staged homes, rather then negative

3. Less than a minute
Research has shown that buyers initially make up their mind in less than a minute on whether they want a home or not. Therefore, curb appeal is key.  

4. Ready to move in
Staged homes appear to be in “Ready to move-in” condition.  Buyers overwhelmingly prefer homes where they can just move-in and start enjoying life in their new home.  They will pay a premium for this.

5. No imagination needed
When only 5% of the population can truly visualize how beautiful a home can be or see past the clutter, grime and so-so appearance; then staging becomes paramount for a fast sale at a great price.

6. Competitive advantage
Staged homes have a competitive advantage over other homes that are not staged.

7. Well maintained
Staged homes give off the appearance of being well-maintained and cared for.  This is the underlying psychological message that is sent to potential buyers.

8. Appraisers
Appraisers see the home in a more positive light and are more likely to appraise the home higher than a similar non-staged home.

9. Shown more
Properly staged homes are showing much more often by realtors.  For they, enjoy showing a property that is attractive and excites buyers.  Well staged homes are always at the top of the list homes an agent will show.

10. Higher sales price
The better home shows, the more that it will sell for.  This is more dollars in your pocket. Non-staged homes are more likely to require price reductions in order to sell , versus staged homes, which are more likely to have a number of offers and possibly a bidding war or to sell over the asking price.

First impressions make a significant impact on a buyer's decision-making process! 
Once your home goes on the market, it becomes a product. Home Styling or Staging simply allows you to highlight the best of your home and de-emphasize its flaws. It's not about decorating, but actually turning your home into a model, to appeal to the broadest range of prospective buyers. The goal is to make people feel like they could live there, and the best way to do this is to "neutralize" the surroundings.

Try out these helpful styling tips taken from Setting the Stage - REALTOR® Magazine Online. They've compiled the best tips from stagers and real estate pros—things you can do for little or no expense—to put a home in prime showing shape.

• Clear out closets and clutter—sellers can give away or pack up toys, linens, and small kitchen appliances to store offsite. Buyers are also forgiving of storage boxes neatly tucked away in a garage or basement.
• Focus most on the most visible areas—the foyer, kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and family room.
• De-personalize the home by removing photos, mementos, and dated items.
• Use plants in colorful pots or inexpensive wicker baskets to fill in empty spaces.
• Look to home catalogs for little details on beautifying the home. For instance, group books, pictures, and objets d’art appealingly on bookcases.
• Try angling one or two pieces of furniture slightly and move furniture 4 inches to 6 inches from the wall to create more interesting room spaces.
• Put away large collections— porcelains, plates, and so on.
• Remove valuables, prescription medicine, collectibles, and breakables.
• Trim trees, prune shrubs, and make sure the lawn is mowed and watered regularly.
• In summer, turn on the sprinklers for five minutes, 30 minutes before the open house. It makes the lawn and driveway sparkle.
• Refrain from cooking anything that leaves a distinctive odor, such as fish, garlic, or cabbage.
• Hire a professional service to clean the home, including the carpets and the windows.
• Set the dining room table with attractive linens, dishes, and stemware.
• Arrange fresh or silk flowers throughout the home.
• Light a fire in the fireplace in fall and winter.
• A mirror in a pretty frame can make a small room feel more open.
• Use as much natural light as possible. Add extra lamps in dark rooms or corners.
• Make functional repairs—fix dripping faucets, sticking doors, and broken fences.
• Bring in another pair of eyes—even if it’s not a professional stylist. The person may see problems you and have missed.