In any market, but particularly a buyer's market, the listing that looks the best, shows the best and feels the best will sell faster (that is given the listing is also priced properly!).   The best staged home will sell faster when all other things are comparable (price, terms, location).

Helping a seller to prepare the home for showings and staging the property are two initial and essential strategies in a successful listing and marketing program.  The three major areas of consideration for preparing a home to go on the market are:

1. Clean
2. De-Clutter
3. Stage individual rooms

Las Vegas real estate agent, Barbara O'Neill, has a natural talent and eye for decorating and staging and includes practical advice and guidance to her sellers as a part of her listing service.  Barbara has found success in staging both vacant and owner-occupied listings - and our Las Vegas market currently has a high percentage of vacant properties.  Here are some of her staging tips.

Key Rooms to Stage When the Listing is Vacant:

Make the Front Entry look inviting.  First impressions are lasting.  Make it a good one.  Colored Pots with Artificial plants, a bench, a Welcome mat, a dried or silk door wreath all work wonders to set the stage for what the prospective buyer is going to see and feel inside the home.

Kitchen

• 2 or 3 tier stand with plates and bowls
• Decorative fruit bowl or basket on the counter
• Artificial plant or dried flower arrangement
• Canister set
• Vanilla, Cinnamon or Apple scented wall plugs (Bath & Body Works)
• Bistro or dining table and chairs
• Bar stools if applicable

Guest Bathroom

• Make it a functioning bathroom with toilet paper, hand soap
• Hand towels
• Decorative items
• Scented wall plug

Master Bedroom/Bath

• Bed with comforter, pillows and shams
• Night table (s)
• Lamps
• Books
• Small picture on the nightstands
• Bath – make it spa-like (towels, robes, candles, vanity bench if applicable)

Note: Hang a few pictures where needed and do not worry about the nail holes.  They are easy to patch.

General Tips

o Select items that everyone uses regularly that coordinates with décor and color of the home.  Make it look and feel real.
o Decorate to the house’s architecture, style & colors not necessarily your taste.
o Preparing and staging the home should be done prior to the home going on the market. The first pictures that go in the MLS and on the flier should be the staged pictures. 

Where to find Staging Supplies and Decorator Items  (bargains in Las Vegas)

• Big Lots
• Ross
• Marshall’s
• TJ Maxx
• Stein Mart
• Colleen’s Consign and Design
• Warehouse showrooms for Walker Furniture and R C Willey

Staging the Owner-Occupied Home

Conduct an inspection/assessment with the Sellers.  Give them a checklist or a pad of paper and ask them to write down what needs to get done – involve them in the process.  On your walk-around, room-by-room, make staging suggestions, look for and note any necessary repairs or maintenance, ways to de-clutter or clean the space. 

There are abundant resources available online with tips for cleaning, de-cluttering and staging and preparing the home.   I've compiled a list of FAQs regarding home staging and some useful resources for your review below.

Home Staging FAQs

• Who does the staging?
  o You
  o Hire a professional  Home Stager or Interior Decorator
• What does it cost to hire a home staging professional?
  o Free Consultation offered by some home staging companies
  o Written Assessment – $350 approx. and seller does the work
  o o Home Staging Company does it all
  o Professional home stagers charge anywhere from $500 to $5000 - depending on the scope of work needed.  Furniture may be rented from Stager or purchased.
• Who pays for it? 
  o Seller
  o You
  o Combination
• What happens to the staging props and furniture after close of escrow?
  o Buyer asks for it in the offer
  o Seller keeps it
  o Seller sells it
  oYou keep it and reuse on your next listing (if you choose this option)
  o Returns to Home Staging Company (if seller leased it)

Home Staging Resources   (Download home_staging_resources.pdf)

• HGTV – Designed to Sell TV Show
• NAR Field Guide on Home Staging
• Home Staging Tips - How to Stage a Home for Sale
• How To Prepare Your House For Sale
• Home Staging & Staging a House - What is Home Staging

Home Staging Blogs

• Home Staging Rants & Ravings 
• Home Staging Tips 

Home Staging Certification & Training

• Barb Schwartz - Staged Homes
  Debra Gould – Home Staging Diva
• Home Staging Consultation Checklist with Room-by-Room Client Planning Forms -  $45