6 Staging Hacks That Help Homes Sell Quickly

You’ve probably heard it before: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s especially true in real estate.

Buyers decide within minutes, sometimes seconds, if a house feels like the one. I’ve seen people step through the front door, inhale the scent of freshly baked cookies, and instantly declare, “This is it.” Sure, the cookies help, but the real secret is staging.

Staging can raise your sales price by thousands and help your home sell faster. It can help buyers see your home’s best version. Let’s walk through the simple changes you can make to your home to make it more appealing to potential buyers.

1. Declutter like you’re moving tomorrow. Imagine showing up for a first date and finding the other person’s car filled with fast-food wrappers. That’s the same feeling buyers get when they see a cluttered home. Here are some ways you can declutter your home:

• Pack away personal items such as family photos, kids’ artwork, quirky collections
• Clear counters in kitchens and bathrooms. If you can’t part with your toaster, at least tuck it in a cabinet for showings.
• Think minimalist Airbnb chic, not “lived-in chaos.”

If you’re going to pack eventually, start now to lessen the stress of moving. Future-you will thank you.

2. Lighten up your spaces. Lighting is like Botox for your home; it enhances and makes everything look fresher. Light up your home by doing the following:

• Open your blinds, pull back the curtains, and let natural light flood in.
• Replace dim bulbs with bright ones
• Add lamps in dark corners to banish shadows.

A bright space feels larger, fresher, and more welcoming, which can translate to more money in your pocket.

3. Keep home colors neutral but not boring. You want buyers to picture their lives in your home, not yours. That’s why we recommend neutral palettes like beige, gray, or soft white. But neutral doesn’t mean lifeless. Add some life to your home with the following:

• A vase of fresh flowers
• A stylish throw pillow or accents
• Plants or greenery to bring energy and warmth without overwhelming the space.

4. Rethink your furniture layout. Less is more when it comes to furniture. Buyers need to see flow, not roadblocks. If your sectional dominates the living room, consider scaling back. Here’s what you can do:

• Position the furniture to create conversational groupings.
• Remove extra pieces to make rooms feel larger.
• Use rugs to define spaces in open floor plans.

5. Make your kitchen the showstopper. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, make it shine by doing the following:

• Clear every countertop
• Add a bowl of fresh lemons or colorful fruit for a pop of life
• Update the cabinet hardware to give the space an instant refresh

You’d be surprised how something as simple as a vase of flowers or neatly stacked cookbooks can charm buyers and make them imagine living there.

6. Add finishing touches that buyers remember. The little details sell the feeling. Fluffy towels in the bathroom, a cozy throw on the couch, and fresh linens in the bedroom all help create a sense of warmth and care. These small touches make a big emotional impact, and emotional buyers pay premium prices.

Staging isn’t about hiding flaws; it’s about highlighting potential. By decluttering, brightening, and adding thoughtful details, you’re setting the stage for success. When your home feels move-in ready and emotionally appealing, buyers fall in love faster, and that often means stronger offers and shorter days on market.

If you want buyers to compete for your home like kids fighting over the last cookie, take staging seriously. It may just be the smartest, most affordable investment you make before selling.

Want to see how professional staging can transform your home? Watch this short video to know how.

Call, text, or message me to prepare your home for sale. Contact me at (818) 903-5854 or tammyjerome@gmail.com. You can also visit my website, tammyjerome.com, to learn more about me and my business. Let’s make your property the one buyers can’t forget.