Homestaging is the latest trend in marketing and selling your home. Most savvy and experienced real estate agents will be familiar with homestaging- sometimes called "fluffing". It can be as simple as your qualified real estate agent coming in and advising you to remove clutter, change a too bright paint color or remove out-of-date- wall paper. It can also be as involved as hiring a professional accredited Home Staging professional who will help your home give the best first impression on potential home buyers while not breaking. Typically it will mean re-painting your home in more neutral and more sell-able colors. Removing or replacing art work, family pictures and personal objects. Buyers like to see a "clean" palette and picture their own items- and home staging makes it easier.

Tidy Every Room in the House

Check counters, floors, closets, halls and stairs. Make beds; straighten or remove newspapers, magazines, mail, toys, clothing, recreation gear, drinking glasses and dishes.

Lighting

Lots of light will show off your home- turn on all the lights, even in daytime. Open all the blinds- will show views, make rooms look larger and add sunlight to the rooms.

Kitchen and Bathroom

Make sure bathroom and kitchen gleam! In the kitchen have counters as clear as possible, put away crockpot, toaster oven and blender. Clear and wipe down all counters and appliances. Have dishwasher emptied. Scrub out the sink - scrub faucet and edges with toothbrush and soak bleach in sink - you will be shocked how much better your kitchen will look will look! Flowers are a nice touch- use fragrant flowers such as roses, freesia or lilies.

Straighten washcloths and towels; replace with fresh, decorative ones if possible. Clean the sink and wipe down counters. Use clean smelling room freshener- avoid anything to sweet or cloying.

Get Rid of Clutter

I can't emphasize this is enough- DECLUTTER. Get rid of stacks of magazines on coffee table, the pile of kid's crafts on the microwave and bowl of change on the front hall table. You may have to go to extremes and pack up the bulk of your belonging and consider putting then in storage if space as an issue. You do not want to give the slightest hint that you home is too small, cramped or over stuffed!

Think of it as buyers mentally moving their own things into a home. If a home has too much or too little in it, it is hard for most buyers to visualize how their own belongings things will look in your home. There are many do-it-yourself web sites that specialize in way to help you get your home ready for sale. Of course, when selling your home- you want to keep your costs as low as possible and see a return on your home staging investment. Your real estate agent can help! They know what sells and what doesn't. Good Luck selling your home!

LJ Stewart worked in interior design business for several years and now works as freelance business writer and consultant to small businesses. For more information on homestaging and tips for selling your home please visit LeaJensen.com - Mississauga MLS Listings and top selling Mississauga and Oakville Real Estate Agent