If you are selling your home, your goals are to get that purchase offer, sail through smooth negotiations and closing, and find the next home you want to live in.

When goals are this large, it’s always good to break them down into smaller goals.

One goal that's a necessity is to review how your successful your staging is.

Whether you are just beginning to stage your home, or you're looking for ways to add finishing touches, this list of 20 questions will help.

Once you know what needs to be done, you can make your to-do list, prioritize it, tackle it, and have the satisfaction of knowing your house can compete favorably with other properties. 

A quick quiz to take

These questions will help you review the staging quality of your home. The more 'yes' answers you give, the better your chances of a profitable home sale.  
  • Is the purpose of each room apparent at first glance? Can some rooms serve a secondary purpose as well?
  • Is the furniture arranged so there is a clear traffic flow through the room? Does someone entering the room for the first time have a sense of spaciousness?
  • Does the eye flow around the room, not jerkily bouncing from one minor focal point to another?
  • Is it as clean and bright as it can be?
  • Does it have a light and pleasant scent, no mustiness, no cooking or tobacco or pet odors?
  • Are the colors right? Would they make most people feel comfortable?
  • Is something on-trend in each room?
    Adding something unique like this chair
    will help buyers remember
    your home. Photo: Terracotta Studio.

  • Is there something that’s unique, handmade, or one of a kind in each room?
  • Is there something that’s obviously not new, like an antique or a distressed piece of furniture in each room? 
  • Is there a plant or container of flowers -- either real or sink -- in each room?    
  • Is there something reflective in each room – a mirror, some metallics, glassware or a  glass-topped table?
  • Do window treatments improve or emphasize the mood of the room? Do they minimize unpleasant views and capitalize on good views? 
  • Are there some level surfaces that are clear of clutter, places for the eye to rest?
  • Is there some kind of art on the walls? Is it large and noncontroversial?
  • Are personal, religious, political, and out-of-season belongings put away?
  • Are the rooms free from signs of deferred maintenance and unfinished projects? 
  • Have you removed small items and other unnecessary clutter? 
  • Is the temperature comfortable in all rooms? 
  • Are furnishings and accessories in good repair?
  • Are unsightly views from windows shielded and good views emphasized?  

Listen to your rooms

When you’re staging your home, you have to become the room whisperer, discovering what each room in your home really wants to be and then working your magic to make it happen.

Need help working that magic? My eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar, will answer your real estate questions and solve your home staging problems. You can instantly download the pdf, and get on the path today to a successful home sale.


Top Photo: Sarah Richardson