Staging a home is preparing it for sale. It is a very common practice now, and there are staging companies. Every homeowner likes to think their home is perfect, and it is for them. The flower arrangement on the dining room table is beautiful, and the curio cabinet holds their fondest memories. Prospective home buyers, however, like to imagine what their furnishings and memories will look like in the home. Taking the homeowners personality out of the house and presenting a neutral canvas is staging.

Staging can go as far as removing the furniture and bringing in traditional furnishings, similar to a model home. Most staging is removing personalized furnishings and changing wall color. Neutral colors work the best, and a general cleaning replacing stained carpet and fixing dings and dents in woodwork. The return on investment for staging a home is over 100 percent in most areas.

Curb appeal is critical, and landscaping is essential to good curb appeal. Hedges and grass should be trimmed dead shrubbery and trees need to be removed. Wash all the windows and make sure the sidewalk is swept. Banisters and railings can be painted or stained.

Remove clutter and take down personal photos from the walls, leaving tasteful artwork in place. Make sure the lights are working, and have the drapes and blinds open for a home showing. Light airy and breezy sells. Clothes stuffed in hampers and damp towels strewn about the bathroom does not sell. Make all rooms- gender-neutral in particular master baths and master bedrooms.