Have you ever walked into a home and instantly known it was "the one"? If that's happened to you, staging was probably a large part of that instant attraction.

An article posted by The Canadian Real Estate Association indicates professionals from the home staging and real estate industries are working together with greater frequency.

Some agents even include a home staging consultant as part of their services.

Many Calgary REALTORS® will offer you the same advice. Since there's no doubt staging is one of the keys to selling success, we've developed a checklist that will take some of the stress out of staging and even introduce a little bit of fun.

1. Declutter

While we know your family photos and tiny heirlooms are not clutter, potential buyers will think they are.

Each item in our home has meaning and purpose. However, for the purposes of selling, you need to put most, if not all, of it away.

The goal is to get your space as minimalistic, clean, and airy as possible. Clutter takes away from that.

If you pack up all those photos and knickknacks now, you'll also save yourself some time when that fantastic offer comes in.

2. Consider Your Closets

As you declutter, try not to shove everything haphazardly in your closets.

You know those potential homebuyers are going to be opening every last closet and pantry, right?

Try to put that clutter you just cleaned away into neat and tidy boxes that can be stored in an attic or basement.

Storage is a huge selling point. So, when that potential homebuyer opens your closets, you definitely want them to see the full potential of that space.

3. Count Your Counterspace

This goes hand in hand with clutter and closets. Your kitchen and bathrooms are one of the biggest focal points of your home.

Because they're so important, all that counter space needs to be clean, open, and completely decluttered.

In fact, if you can take all your appliances and store them underneath the counters, do so.

4. Freshen Up Your Paint

While many of us love some flavor and spice in our homes, that's a personal preference.

Many Calgary REALTORS® will tell you that you want your home to appeal to a wide variety of families. The best way to achieve this is to work with a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color. Paint the entire ground floor to convey a clean, cared-for home that any family would be happy to settle into.

5. Deep Clean

Now that your treasures are packed away and your walls are painted, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get scrubbing. This needs to be a truly deep clean.

Make sure every bathroom faucet gleams. See that every appliance sparkles against the natural light that's pouring in through your Windexed windows.

Your carpets should look freshly vacuumed, complete with those straight vacuum cleaner lines. If you think they need to be steamed, call in the professionals.

If you have hardwood floors, take more than a Swiffer to every last square inch of those floors.

6. Finalize Your Furniture

Knowing that you're gearing up to move, take a close look at any pieces of furniture that can leave the building.

That fun side table you bought in Morocco is gorgeous, but it's eating up space and, therefore, taking away from the open, airy look you want to achieve.

Anything that's not an 'essential' piece of furniture i.e. the sofa and coffee table in the living room, and the bed and nightstand in the bedroom, consider removing.

If you're struggling with this stage of the staging process, focus on the neutral pieces of furniture in your home, like the beige armchair or walnut-stained coffee table over the bright purple chaise lounge.

7. Know That Details Matter

You'd be surprised how much impact the smallest details have.

While thoughts of home inspections and utilities abound, don't lose sight of the finer points that are going to help you cross the finish line.

It's the details right in front of you that really seal the deal.

Splurge in a bouquet of white roses - fresh, not fake. Set them out on that sparkling kitchen counter. Put a smaller bouquet in the master bedroom or bathroom.

8. Kick Up Your Curb Appeal

You don't have to break any budgets here, but you do need to pay attention to your curb appeal. This is, literally, the very first thing a potential homebuyer will see and we all know about first impressions.

Trim your hedges. Mow your lawn. Rake your leaves.

You already have your painting supplies, so take a good hard look at the trim on the front of your home. Is any of the paint cracking?

Are you able to plant a couple of fresh pieces of greenery i.e. a small evergreen or potted fern?

You'd be astonished at how many Calgary REALTORS® can attest to the benefit of a few small solar lights trimming the walkway to your front door.

All those 5 o'clock homebuyers coming by after a long day at work will notice each of these welcoming details.

Let Your Calgary REALTORS® Get to Work!

Once you've done all you can, let your Calgary REALTORS® take it from there.

Now, they'll be able to photograph it, get that listing out to every major outlet, and start bringing visitors in to fight over your space.

Your friends at Waller Real Estate take a completely unique approach when selling homes.

We have a proven marketing plan and strategy that will get your house sold in the least amount of time.

Understanding the unrest showings bring to family life, we follow a specifically formulated flowchart to speed up the process and get you moved into your new home.

Book your free home evaluation today. We can't wait to start making your dreams a reality.