Did you catch me on the radio this past Saturday morning? I was interviewed by Dottie Herman, CEO of Prudential Douglas Elliman (the #4 ranked real estate company in the US!) on her WOR show, “Eye on Real Estate.” The topic on everyone’s minds? Staging!

Want to listen to the interview? Here it is! (I start talking about the three minute mark.)

People are always asking me for advice about staging the home for an open house. It’s SO important that people know the do’s and don’ts when it comes to staging, because they can be the difference between selling your home and scaring off potential buyers! The most important thing I tell people is to remember that you’re staging your home so that you can SELL it…which means you have to detach emotionally from what you are doing to stage it. This is usually the hardest part for clients I work with, getting them to stop looking at things personally. You want to make sure that your home has the broadest appeal so that potential buyers are able to envision themselves living there. That’s my #1 tip! …of course, I’ve got plenty more! In case you are a late sleeper or swanky Saturday brunch-goer and missed the interview, here are my Top 10 Quick, Easy, (and Inexpensive!) Staging Ideas. 1. Declutter A tidy, organized space feels more open, and is less distracting for someone coming in to look at it. And don’t forget about closets! A potential buyer is bound to open closets, and if yours are stuffed with odds and ends, they might decide that there isn’t enough storage space in your home. 2. Remove family photos Believe it or not, people who are coming to your open house aren't hoping to move in with you and your family! (Wink wink.) Allow them the chance to let their imaginations run wild and picture the walls of your home covered with photos of themselves and their families. 3. Maximize visual space Create as much visual space as possible by taking out extraneous furniture pieces and accessories. Try not to exceed two or three pillows on a couch, and if you have side tables next to every chair, take some of them out. Remember, less furniture makes a room feel bigger…not to mention cleaner! 4. Try a fresh coat of paint Giving the inside of your home a fresh coat of paint doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task! Recruit your friends and family to help and you can make a fun day of it. (I know you’ve got a pair of denim overalls you’ve been looking to whip out!) When you’re picking paint colors, light, neutral, and happy colors are best. 5. Light all four corners of a room A well-lit room feels happier! Especially if your home doesn’t have a lot of natural light, making sure that each seating area has a lamp and that all four corners of a room are lit will help your home feel brighter, happier, and more accessible. 6. Paint a feature wall A great way to add impact in your home is to create a feature wall. One way to do this is to make a single wall two or three shades darker (or lighter) than the rest of the room. You can also do this by putting wallpaper on only one wall. It’s always best if there is somewhere for your eye to focus in a room, and feature walls make for great focal points. 7. Change up the hardware Sprucing up your kitchen cabinets (or any cabinets) can be as simple as changing the hardware! It’s like giving your cabinets a facelift! And because it’s all about the details, new hardware can really give old and dated cabinetry a fresh look. 8. Replace ceiling lights Lighting in a room is SO important…not just to create bright, happy spaces, but because lighting can be fun and decorative! Choosing chic light fixtures is a fab way to create atmosphere in a room, and there are so many inexpensive options on the market today. 9. Add mirrors Mirrors are fabulous not only as decorative pieces but because they have the ability to make a room seem more spacious. Strategically placed mirrors can do wonders for the home…just avoid placing one across from your entrance door! (That’s bad feng shui!) 10. Pop that color! Leave potential guests feeling excited about the home they just visited! Color is the best way to do that. Add a pop of color to help their eyes move through the room...maybe a few pillows, a throw, or a vignette of vases. Show your home’s potential with these fun, eye-catching elements and it will stay in their memory! A big thanks to Dottie Herman and WROR for interviewing me! What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday morning!