Quick Guide to Starting Your Home Staging Business

Monday, October 19, 2026

Is home decor your passion? Do friends ask you for decorating advice? Do you have a knack for arranging furniture and choosing paint colors? Maybe it's time to get serious about launching a career in home staging. 

Starting any business comes with challenges. The good news is that you can turn your eye for design into a home staging business without spending thousands of dollars upfront. The secret is to start small, focus on services rather than stuff, and learn how to make a staging business profitable.  

Start as a consultant

One of the biggest mistakes new stagers make is buying furniture, accessories, artwork, and storage space before they have clients. Instead, consider starting as a home staging consultant.

During an initial consultation, you'll be making notes,
taking measurements, and shooting photos. 

As a consultant, you'll visit a homeowner’s property, evaluate each room, and provide a personalized plan to prepare the home for sale. You might recommend things like rearranging existing furniture, decluttering, improving lighting, updating accessories, and making inexpensive cosmetic changes.

You can charge for these in-home consultations and your written staging plans without investing in inventory, renting a warehouse, or purchasing a delivery vehicle. Your clients pick up where you left off, doing the work themselves. 

Or you can offer additional services to help implement your recommendations. For example, if you know tradespeople like plumbers, painters, electricians, carpenters, or landscapers, you can get quotes from them and either schedule the work and bill the homeowner, or just hand over the quotes for the homeowner. Network with your favorite fabric outlet, furniture store, and hardware store so you know when they have sales, and so you can go to them for advice.  

You may not have a professional flip chart of
every brand of paint color, but you can make your
own color chip collection from paint
company color strips. Photo: PPG Industries

To make color selections easy and economical, create your own color consultation chart you can take to the client's home. Do this by working with one local paint supplier (like Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, or  Glidden) and collecting their "chip charts" of various whites, greys, beiges, and pastels that are appropriate for wall colors. Each paint company has its own system of visualizing their paint colors with your photos --  a huge help to show your client.  

Once you have steady income and understand your local market, you can gradually expand into occupied staging or vacant-home staging. You'll rent or own appropriate furnishings, gradually building your inventory. 

It's handy to keep an inventory of fabrics 
you've acquired free or at discount prices. 
They can be used for pillows, seat cushions,
artwork, and other DIY projects. Photo: Fabscrap 

Learn money management 

Having a great sense of style is helpful, but running a successful staging business requires more than decorating skills. One piece of advice I'd emphasize: learn to price your services for profit from day one. It's easy to focus on the creative side of staging and overlook the business skills that make it sustainable. You will need business insurance, but you don't need a license since there is no official accreditation organization. You can itemize your profit and expenses under your own name with the IRS at tax time.   

Learn the fundamentals of real estate marketing, buyer psychology, pricing, client contracts, budgeting, and business operations. Draw on previous jobs you've had when you learned skills that will help in your new career.  

Fill any gaps in your business education so your new business can soon be profitable. Learn how to calculate your hourly costs, price consultations, estimate project expenses, manage client expectations, and track your actual profit. 

Talk to local real estate agents and even friends who have recently sold a home in your area. Find out what services are needed most and the challenges sellers face when preparing a home for market. 

Books are essential props for a home stager.
They are easy to acquire secondhand at garage
sales and library sales. Just add new covers!

Build your portfolio 

You don't need a showroom to demonstrate your skills. But you do need photos that show how well you can stage. Start with your own home, or offer a discounted consultation to friends and family in exchange for permission to photograph the results. Since statistics show that up to 70% of all business partnerships fail, keep your business as a solo operation. 

Take before-and-after photos, or (even better) hire a professional photographer to photograph rooms you've staged. Use these pictures to create a simple online portfolio and build a professional presence on social media. Use a business email, and be prompt with replies. For a basic website, go to Fiverr.com to find a designer that fits your budget. Create a simple LinkedIn page, with a good profile photo and a paragraph about your education and expertise. Use Facebook and Instagram regularly to promote your business. 

Trends now allow you to mix furniture
styles, so you don't need to go into debt buying
complete sets of matching dining or bedroom
furniture. Photo: Brie Williams via BHG

Grow Strategically

No matter what shape the economy is in, people will always be buying and selling homes. It doesn't matter if you live in a small town like I do, or in a metropolitan area with over 530,000 businesses like Detroit, you'll find sellers and real estate agents who are happy to have the help of a home stager. 

Keep overhead low, track every expense, and reinvest profits carefully. Before expanding, make sure demand justifies the cost of furniture, storage, transportation, and labor. Starting and growing your own home-based business demands discipline. If your business grows, consider renting a storage facility for your staging supplies. And if you continue to be successful, consider investing in commercial business space for storage and meeting clients. 

You know your business is progressing well
when it's time to rent storage space Photo: Dezeen

Start your new career

If you decide you have the decorating skills, temperament, and business knowledge to start your own home staging business, get your business plan off to a great start by downloading my DIY Home Staging eBooks. I've previously blogged about the questions to ask yourself if you are considering launching a home staging business, and more advice on becoming a self-employed homestager. My blog continues to deliver new advice about how to stage, so be sure to follow my posts.         

Top photo: Pink and Polka Dot Slipcovers  

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10 Reasons to Buy a Baker's Rack

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Most professional stagers and interior decorators agree that the baker's rack is an indispensable piece of furniture. 

Traditionally, baker's racks were made of metal and used in bakeries so baked goods could cool quickly. Today's versions can be made of metal, wood, bamboo, or even plastic. And they may have newer features like wheels, closed cabinets, drawers, or specialized racks. No matter their size or material, they all share that signature open-shelving style.     

If you are staging a home, a baker's rack could be one of your most useful pieces. If you don't already own one, now could be the time to buy one. Don't worry. Baker's racks don't have to be expensive or difficult to find. Let's look at the best places to find them and the many ways they can help with decorating and home staging.    

Online sources

Shopping the web for a baker's rack makes sense because these unassembled shelving units can usually be shipped in boxes that aren't oversized. Both Wayfair and Amazon sell dozens of different styles for less than $100, and many more versions above that price point. Larger units can be priced as high as $300, but these units will feature extras such as cabinets, drawers, lighting, wheels, or microwave compatibility, features you don't necessarily need for staging. 

Besides the common retailers, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy are great places to score a baker's rack for your home staging. It's common on these two sites and at auctions and flea markets to find older ones, unusual ones, or distressed ones at good prices, but sometimes you'll need to be patient and ready to negotiate.

Bookcase

Whether metal or wood, or a combination of both, the shelves in baker's racks are generally a good size for book storage and display. Baker's racks look less dense than a bookcase that has a backing, so for home staging, they help create a more open look to the room.  

A baker's rack is a natural place to display books.
For staging, you can add paper book jackets to
disguise distracting colors and titles. Photo: Fativo

Display area

If you have an interesting collection of objects that helps make your home look more interesting or valuable, a baker's rack could be the perfect place to display it.  

A colorfully staged baker's rack by your front door
helps give people coming to view your property 
a good impression of what's inside your home.

Room divider

If you want to break up a large space or add a cozy touch to a room, there are bakers's racks for that. Look for ones that are accessible from both sides.

This unit from Overstock both separates and decorates
two rooms. The top and bottom shelves have a back
to them, but the other shelves are pass-through.

Beverage center

I've blogged about the style a bar cart, or coffee station, or an etagere can add to homestaging. A compact baker's cart can do the same thing if styled right. 

This simple 3-tier rack gives you a ready-made wine rack,
complete with a shelf for bottles and a rack  
to hang cups and wine glasses. Photo:Overstock

Plant stand

I love to see a collection of plants on a baker's rack. Because many of them are made of metal, baker's racks are suitable for outdoor display.

Whether inside or outdoors, plants are a perfect 
choice for arranging on a metal baker's rack.
It's practical because water won't damage
the metal, and plants get good air circulation.

Kitchen storage

If you want to be true to tradition, the rightful place for a baker's rack is in the kitchen. There, it can be used for storage of everyday ingredients and cooking tools. Or, if you want to use it as a backdrop for what makes a kitchen look special, stage it with status kitchen equipment, or else with what's most attractive or interesting.

This simple rack on wheels makes a handy place 
to display an assortment of kitchen paraphernalia.
The use of baskets keeps the assortment 
from looking haphazard or messy.  

Drop zone

A baker's rack can be a helpful addition to a back door mudroom or an entry hall. Yes, you can turn what can be a domestic eyesore into something that speaks well of you, your family, and your house!

Whether you are living in your home that's for sale,
or you have moved and the house is staged,
a baker's rack just inside a front or back door
is easy to stage with what you already own.     

Statement piece

Almost any style of baker's rack provides suitable shelving to display decor props perfect for home staging. If you are fortunate enough to own a vintage baker's rack, you have an ideal way to display a collection or an assortment of antiques. I never advise stagers to use anything so valuable that people on your will be tempted to steal it. The rule is to use items that are too large to fit in a pocket or purse.

A baker's rack styled mostly with blue and
white china is a simple way to fill a space and
make a statement. Photo: Maria Kellam.

A wooden antique rack like this is a terrific
background for this equally charming 
collection of white dishes and dinnerware.

Hidden storage

Staged homes always need pretty places to stash the ordinary essentials. Use attractive containers to hide these kinds of things, and arrange them on a baker's rack in a convenient location. 

You can use interesting baskets, boxes, bins, and
buckets to stash stuff on your baker's rack. 

Bathroom shelving

Looking for a way to make a bathroom look less cluttered but still provide places to keep all the essential towels, grooming, medicinal, cosmetic, and paper products? Baker's rack to the rescue.

Most baker's racks can accommodate a good amount
of things, and still look attractive, especially if you 
take the time to keep things uncluttered.   

Get the look, get the book

Its versatility is probably the one feature that makes a baker's rack so valuable. When you are "dressing up" a home on the market, you'll appreciate all the ways you can use it. 

If you are prepping a home for sale, or if you are a decorator, or a Realtor helping clients get more money for their homes, you need my homestaging eBooks! Download them now by going here. 

Top Photo: Driven By Decor

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Problem House? Do You Sell "As Is" or Rehab it?

Thursday, August 27, 2026

If you own a house that has multiple problems and you want to cash out, you're probably asking yourself, "What's my best exit strategy?" 

You can list your property as a fixer-upper. Or you can fix its problems and sell it at a higher price. I've talked to multiple people who have been in this situation, and I've been down this road myself. Here's what I've learned about what's best to do. 

Start with questions

I've always encouraged sellers to maximize profits by listing a property in good condition and staged to sell. But sometimes that just isn't possible. The seller may be moving out of state, or lack the money, stamina, imagination, contacts, or time to deal with repairs.  

Maybe you own a distressed property because you inherited it. Or you purchased one on the courthouse steps without an inspection. Or you've lived in a house and were not able to maintain it because of natural disasters or personal financial problems. Perhaps you've owned a rental house and are tired of being a landlord. (If that's you, consider talking to a property manager like Wurth Property Management to help you decide if the house is the headache or having to manage it yourself is the problem.    

If you're undecided about what to do with a home you own, a good place to start making some decisions is to ask a local real estate agent for the estimated value "as is" versus the value after repairs. An experienced Realtor will help you decide which repairs are necessary and which ones bring the best return. 

If there are similar homes nearby, 
and some of them have sold recently,
it will be relatively easy to judge
the value of your property.
Photo: Robert Knopes 

Calculate if the increase in the home’s sale price will be higher than the cost of repairs, contractor delays, and carrying costs like insurance, taxes and utilities. My experience is that remodels usually take twice as long as you initially plan. If the math or your timeline does not support a full remodel, selling "as is" will probably be safer. 

If you keep careful records of the permanent upgrades, like fencing, a deck, or solar panels, they can help you at tax time. 

If you sell "as is"

Selling without renovating makes sense if your timeline is tight -- if you face a job change, a divorce, or financial stress and cannot wait months for contractors. It also makes sense if buyer demand is high and houses sell fast, so you can skip repairs and let the market set the price.  

You can list your property as a "handyman special." There is always a market for houses that need rehabbing, such as flippers and first-time homeowners who have skills. You can cash out without expenditures or stress, but you can't expect to make a profit. You may even have difficulty breaking even if you have an unpaid mortgage.

Selling unrenovated does not excuse you from state disclosure laws, which typically require you to report major problems like roof leaks, foundation cracks, or plumbing failures.

Be aware that government regulations require certain serious disclosures. For example, if your house was built before 1980, it may contain insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, or siding made of asbestos. So, before any demolition or remodeling or even routine maintenance, arranging for a professional asbestos removal service is a crucial first step, because asbestos is a serious health hazard. Popcorn ceilings applied between 1950 and the late 1980s can contain asbestos. 

And if your home was built or painted before 1978, it may contain lead-based paint. A lead-based paint disclosure is required under EPA and HUD regulations. Your Realtor will advise you and supply the brochure for buyers.  

Older homes are likely to have lead-based
paint on their walls and trim. Walls can be painted over,
but windows are usually replaced.

Middle ground

One compromise you could choose is to fix critical safety items like active roof leaks, faulty wiring, or broken HVAC units so home inspectors do not scare buyers away. Buyers will know they can safely move in and be comfortable. 

Or you can take it one step further and do some small, inexpensive fixes. These would include decluttering and cleaning both inside and outside the property, and painting walls, trim, and doors. New light fixtures and carpet cleaning could also be on your quick-fix agenda. These add more value than they cost. 

Don't ignore your building's exterior so that your online photos and curb appeal help attract serious buyers. A thorough soft wash treatment will restore exterior surfaces without the damage that high-pressure washing can cause to materials like painted wood, stucco, or aging siding. This method relies on specialized cleaning solutions and low-pressure water application to break down and remove buildup gently but thoroughly.

Exterior renovations rarely stop at the structure itself, and landscaping often needs just as much attention, particularly around garden beds and mulched areas if they have been neglected over time. Professional bark blowing offers an efficient way to apply fresh mulch evenly across large or oddly shaped areas. This technique works particularly well for properties with extensive garden beds, sloped terrain, or areas that are difficult to access with standard wheelbarrows and shovels.

If you are living in the property, you can take your time and make repairs and upgrades as time and budget allow.  Skip full kitchen or bathroom remodels because big upgrades rarely return all their money at sale time. 

Landscaping projects get done quickly when
you hire pros to handle chores like mulching and 
seeding. Photo: Hydroseeding  & Bark Blowers, Inc 

If you decide to rehab

If you and your chosen Realtor agree that the location and certain features of your property justify selling it with some improvements, do the math. A good real estate agent will show you comparables so that you know what your competition will be. 

The place to start is to make a checklist of tasks. Hire an inspector to identify hidden problems so you can price the home accurately and avoid surprises during negotiations. Then, get written repair estimates from local contractors. I like to get price quotes from different contractors. It's always an education because there are usually multiple ways to fix a problem. 

Marketing your house 

Decide on the outstanding selling points for your property. Even if the house lacks updates, it's possible that things like its location, or lot size, or floor plan offset its shortcomings. Different buyers have different priorities. 

When it was time to sell my late mother-in-law's 1950s house, the family knew the kitchen and bathrooms were out-of-date. Rather than replace original cabinets and tiled walls, we worked together to make the home shine, and let prospective buyers appreciate (and pay for) all they were getting -- hardwood floors, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a sunroom, an extra-large living room, 13 closets, and 40 acres within commuting distance to New York City. Instead of letting buyers negotiate a low price because it had obsolete features, we did what we could ourselves -- improving the landscaping and painting the house inside and out. 

Work closely with your listing agent. An experienced agent will understand the value of your property and know how to craft compelling, accurate sales copy for your online listing. Your description should read "updated" rather than the term "repaired" or "replaced."

A good real estate photographer will know how to take flattering pictures, both inside and out. Video and drone photography is becoming more common and less expensive.

A vintage bathroom can be a draw to some
buyers, so decide what needs to be updated
and what can be part of "authentic charm."

Staging helps

If you are living in your property, it will be easier to stage it than if you've moved out or never occupied it. Choose your best pieces of furniture. Arrange furniture to make rooms look spacious and inviting. There are plenty of ways to make your home look attractive without breaking your budget. Follow all the economical advice I give in my eBook, DIY HomeStaging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. 

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Tips on Selling an Older Home

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

If the home you are getting ready to sell is older, you're faced with some advantages and some disadvantages. Older homes are often constructed with quality materials and methods, making them charming and valuable. But they can also have dated systems that scare buyers away. 

Ideally, a home on the market will appear well-maintained and even pampered. Your job now is knowing what buyers will value and what they see as problems. Here are the systems that concern buyers the most, the ones that make or break a deal, and how you can gain buyers' confidence.  

Electrical systems

Older homes are particularly susceptible to wiring issues, especially those that haven't been updated to accommodate the electrical demands of modern appliances and electronics. What may have been sufficient decades ago often struggles to keep up with today's higher power loads, creating a real risk of overheating or electrical fires. Bringing in a licensed electrician to assess the condition of your home wiring is one of the smartest investments you can make now, before any buyer brings in their home inspector.

If any electrical work needs to be done, you can document it as part of your sales package to assure potential buyers that they'll have no difficulties as the new owners.

If your appliances are not the latest models, no worry. Some buyers prefer appliances with fewer bells and whistles. Just make sure they are all functioning properly, whether dishwasher, washing machine, oven, dryer, or microwave. 

Water problems

As more people are becoming aware of the symptoms of mold allergies, there is a growing concern about the problems of mold growth in homes that have flooded or have had burst pipes or major leaks. Not every home issue is a dramatic emergency, but even small malfunctions can seriously affect how your home looks on the market. A dishwasher that stops draining, leaks, or fails to clean dishes properly is a common frustration. But prompt dishwasher repairs will restore normal function before the problem worsens.

Some home problems simply can't wait, and burst pipes or major leaks fall squarely into that category. When a pipe fails or a major appliance malfunctions and starts flooding a space, calling for emergency water repair immediately can mean the difference between a manageable cleanup and possibly thousands of dollars in structural damage. Water spreads quickly and will seep into flooring, drywall, and insulation, creating the perfect conditions for mold growth.

Buyers will be worried if there is a musty scent in your house. If your home has been flooded, has poor drainage in a crawl space or basement, or you've had plumbing leaks, a moisture reading will let a home inspector know. After the water repair is done, you may have to do some mold remediation, either structurally or with dehumidifiers.

You'll want to deep clean before you list.  Because musty or unclean homes read as old.   

Learn the current trends

Buyers who are skittish about purchasing an older home are more likely to overlook its age when your home includes some decor that is up-to-date. Here are the easiest ways to get your home up to speed. 

Step one. If you want to know what's in fashion now, don't look at real estate photos online unless you know they were professionally staged by experienced homestagers. Instead, look at online sites like Wayfair and Overstock. Browse the aisles of chain department and furniture stores. Study the design portfolios of people on DecorPad. 

Clean colors and crisp linens

make this bedroom look new and fresh. 

Photo: Nesting Place Interiors

Current trends include plants, flex space, warmer paint colors, smart energy systems, outdoor living spaces, and natural decor pieces like unfinished woods, bamboo, and sisal, rather than bright and glossy, industrial finishes like polished brass.  

Shun the pitfalls

Do not make your 80s entertainment center the room's focal point. Maybe retire it entirely, or paint it and stage it as bookshelves, a bar cart, or a coffee station. Stay away from dark wall colors. White is always a winner. 

Remove wallpaper. If that seems like a big job, you can spackle and sand the seams and paint over the paper with two coats of paint. Saturated color accent walls are probably are not your friend. 

Don't use matched furniture sets. You can break them up and use them in different rooms for a more modern look. 

Trendy additions don't have to be pricey. 
They can be the small touches that add 
color and texture. Photo: CraftBerryBush

Use thrifty fixes  

You don't need to undertake a major remodel when it's time to sell. It's not economically smart to replace good hardwood flooring with the latest luxury vinyl planking. Or to buy new furniture for your living room. 

Don't let your window treatments block natural lighting. Leave lights on for showings. No heavy drapes. Dark homes feel dated. 

Make sure all your bed coverings are in style. Bedrooms are where buyers judge the vibe of a home. 

An entryway is the perfect

spot to establish a fresh style  

without spending much money. 

Photo: Jennifer Ribek Interior Design

Pull furniture, especially bulky pieces, away from the wall for an airy, modern look. Remove unnecessary pieces of furniture so the path through each room is open and obvious. Crowded rooms make a home feel small. 

Replace framed artwork that has faded with new prints or paintings. Faded prints and posters look cheap and old.

Touch up trim around doors and on baseboards. Trim that shows wear makes a room look abused.      

Stage an etagere or bookcase with the kinds of things you see at HomeGoods or Target. Then add some unique pieces that you've thrifted or crafted. Mass-market memorabilia and common accessories from previous decades can date your home. 

Prune outdoor shrubbery so your landscape matches newer homes. Overgrown hedges and foundation plantings won't flatter your property.

Get the look, get the book

Every home on the market needs to show a balance between what's tried and true and what's fresh and new. If the market for your home is older people, trendy accents may not be that important. But to make your home look more appealing, especially to younger buyers, some trends should be part of your homestaging.

For more tips on making your home market-ready, download my DIY HomeStagingTips eBook. You'll find a wealth of inspo and all the tips I've learned over the years as a stager, crafter, home buyer, home seller, and real estate investor.  

Top photo: Nesting Place Interiors

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5 Tips for Selling on Facebook Marketplace

Thursday, July 30, 2026

If you're like most people who are selling a home and moving, you've got some decluttering to do. 

One of the best ways to take the sting out of getting rid of your extra stuff is to sell it. Besides the usual channels like garage sales and local donations, Facebook Marketplace is becoming one of the most popular places for people to buy and sell online. 

I recently sold quite a few things on Marketplace and was pleasantly surprised by how well it went. The site seems more lively and less cumbersome than Craigslist or eBay, and Facebook makes it quick and easy to communicate with buyers. But it can still be daunting, and there are some scams and dangers along the way. I learned a few things that I want to pass on to help with any selling you need to do. 

These cloisonné spoons weren't a full set, so I knew I couldn't demand top price.  

 Get started 

You'll need to be a Facebook member to sell on the site. You can sell from either your computer or your phone without adding an extra app.  

Do some research about what other products similar to yours are listed. Once you know the current market value of your offerings, you can decide whether you want to sell, keep, or donate them. 

This is not the time to be sentimental about what you are selling. If you have a positive emotional connection to something, reconsider if you'll regret selling it. But converting some hand-me-downs and poor purchases into cash can be liberating, and will help you pack and stage your home.   

Show features of your offerings, like the fact that this recliner has a USB port, and that it can sit close to the wall. 

Give details 

When writing your listing, give all the pertinent facts. The more information you provide, the more confident the buyer can be about a second-hand purchase. Mention details like measurements, age, fabric content, type of wood or metal, and brand names. 

Highlight the important selling features by listing them first. Don't give any backstory about how you acquired it. And don't make suggestions about how the item can be used because these buyers already have a use for what they're looking for.       

Tell the truth. Confess it if the pitcher you are selling has a minor chip in the base, or the dresser is missing one knob, or the lamp has a frayed cord. Be honest and let your photos show any signs of damage. Marketplace attracts many do-it-yourselfers who are okay with repairs and repurposing. 

The woman who bought this vintage luggage wanted it because it was manufactured in her hometown the year she was born, facts she learned because I included them in my sales copy.  

Add good photos

Just as when you list your home for sale, photos are essential sales tools. Good photos tempt the buyer into wanting to know more.

Facebook Marketplace lets you load as many as ten photographs into your post. That set of glassware you are selling may not require more than three different images. But if you are selling something like an oil painting, you should go for the full ten -- front, back, frame, and close-up views. That's what it will take to give buyers the whole picture. 

Take time to get good shots. Clean your item if it needs it. Shoot where the lighting is good. Take multiple photos, and narrow them down to the most flattering, informative, and authentic ones. Good photos will save time and confusion for both you and your buyer. 

It's also helpful if you include something that indicates size. A coin placed next to a framed picture, or a yardstick placed alongside a chair, gives good information at a glance. 

The doorknob indicated the size of this purse, giving the buyer information they want. 

Have a neutral background. If the headboard you are selling is leaning against a pile of other things in your storage unit, it's not helping sell the headboard. Remove nearby distractions. Place items on a background like grass, fabric, carpeting, or pavement, or against a wall or the side of a building. 

Lastly, make the most informative and flattering photo the profile shot. 

Price it right

Marketplace isn't like 1stDibs or Poshmark. Marketplace buyers expect real bargains.  Professional "pickers" and buyers who resell can be the first ones to message you. It's your call whether you want to accept their lower offer or wait for later buyers. 

Because Facebook makes it possible for buyers to receive notifications for items they are interested in, serious buyers will message you soon after you list. Your quick response to a question can make the difference between a sale and no-sale. 

Only a few of the people who responded to my listings offered radically lower amounts than what I asked for. Most buyers appreciate how easy it is to buy through Facebook. If a customer has narrowed her search to local sellers, it means she'll avoid shipping charges and can view the merchandise before committing to a sale. Big win!  

Whether you decide to sell at rock-bottom prices or at prices comparable to your competition's will depend on how motivated you are to sell. Do you have time to wait for the perfect offer? Or are you needing to quickly delutter so you can stage your house? 

Knife collectors, I learned, did not care that this set was incomplete. It sold quickly for a good price.   

Be prompt, courteous, and safe 

Don't keep people messaging you waiting. Rather than hit the "Still available" button, respond with a comment such as, "Can I answer any questions for you?" Friendly communication builds trust. 

Facebook makes it easy for you to hide your listings from any friends you have on Facebook. This  could be especially handy if you are selling gifts given to you by friends, neighbors, or family members. 

Be polite and businesslike when people query you. Don't assume that any buyer is legit. Facebook gives you tips on avoiding scams and illegal transactions. If you are uncomfortable with meeting a buyer near your home, meet at a nearby public place or a safe place like a police station. I prefer cash or PayPal over checks or apps like Venmo, but that's just me. There are multiple options for accepting payment for Facebook Marketplace sales. 

The original label on the seat of this antique chair provided the buyer and me with valuable details.  

More tips 

If you need a quick how-to on selling through Marketplace, Facebook provides one. I'd suggest limiting your selling to local pickup. It's less expensive and definitely less complicated. But if you have items that would sell to a very limited audience and would ship easily, go ahead and expand your market if that is an option where you live (Facebook lets you know). Setting up a Venmo account is easy.

Get the look, get the  book

Decluttering should be your first step in your journey to a new home. Scaling back on belongings makes your homestaging more effective. And having fewer possessions means packing, storing, moving, and unpacking are easier and more economical. I hope what I learned by selling on Marketplace will help you pare down the stuff you have to move. 

I can share more about what I've learned about getting a home ready for market. Just download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll learn all you need to know about pricing, selecting a Realtor, speed cleaning, decluttering, and the DIY projects that are simple and thrifty, but make your home more valuable! 

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A Countdown to Listing Your Home

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Selling a home involves more than sticking a "For Sale" sign in the front lawn. Once you've made the decision to move, you'll be juggling a long list of tasks, and at times it may feel as though you're making little progress. I've been through the process numerous times, so let me share the tips and shortcuts I discovered along the way. They will help you stay organized, save time, and make the journey as smooth as possible. 

Take inventory

A good first step  is to take a serious look at what you need to keep for your next home. It can be difficult to narrow down possessions, but if ever there were a time to toss, sell, store, or donate some of the unnecessary stuff you own, it's when you are selling your home and moving.

How to make it easier: Remind yourself that reducing belongings makes your packing easier. Decide on your favorite charity that takes donations and find out if they pick up and what their rules are for accepting things. 

Habitat For Humanity's ReStore trucks will pick up certain items on certain days. Contact your local Habitat Store. 

Plan your staging

Now that you've reduced the clutter in the house your staging will be easier and more effective. Maybe even more fun! One step you can take now is to download my eBook, How To Arrange  Furniture, a Guide to Improving Your Home with What You Have.  

How to make it easier: Draft a tentative budget as a first step. Browse decor magazines for inspo, and look at what's trending in the household  aisles at stores like Target and HomeGoods. Decide what pieces of furniture you now own will improve the way your home will look to buyers. Make that furniture the focal point of each room. If possible, decide on one a color scheme for the whole house.  

This bedroom's color scheme is centered on warm greys, cream, and teal -- a color palette that could easily be duplicated throughout the home with fabrics and paint. Photo: BHG   

Choose a Realtor

I always endorse working with a Realtor. The benefits are numerous: expertise, safety, wide exposure, and the guarantee that the process of selling will go smoothly and "by the books." 

If the home has been a rental up to this point, a property manager like HCM Property Management can also hand your Realtor a clean maintenance and tenant history, the kind of documentation that speeds up a sale and reassures buyers. 

How to make it easier: Hire a local Realtor, one with multiple listings and a good sales record. Don't hire a listing agent who is a relative or friend. Make sure your agent supports your plan to stage your house, and provides professional photography as part of their service.   

Hire inspectors

I also endorse getting inspections so there are no surprises on the path to closing. Hiring your own home inspector means you can fix problems before your buyer hires an inspector.

To make sure there is no evidence of termites, hire a licensed professional to look for the tell-tale mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood, and discarded wings near windowsills. That way, you can document for your buyer that there is not a termite problem.

If you think you might have a problem with wild animals like squirrels, possums, or raccoons living in your attic, crawlspace or roofline, it's best to have them removed by a wildlife removal service. Any, by the way, if you've ever been bitten by bedbugs (even the nicest hotels can have this problem), zinc oxide sheets will prevent that from happening again. 

How to make this easier: Use reputable services that get good recommendations from friends, neighbors or sources like Nextdoor or local listservs. Or ask your listing agent for the names of inspectors they prefer.     

Get and stay clean 

After you home is staged you'll want to keep it clean for the photographer or videographer. Decide what method of cleaning suits your schedule and style -- the all-at-once marathon, or the do-it-in-small doses approach. I've blogged about my 12 must-have cleaning tools that help you get your home clean with the least amount of effort. Since writing that post, I've learned how helpful a robot vacuum is! If you do some research, you can find one that suits your budget and the size and configuration of your rooms.     

Avoid using cleaning agents that leave a heavy chemical or antiseptic aroma. Don't use products that should be applied only by a professional, like concentrated pest control chemicals, industrial mold removers, and asbestos treatments.

How to make it easier: Encourage family members to tidy up after themselves. Consider hiring a crew or individual for a deep clean so that your job is daily maintenance. Remember that people on a home tour  don't expect to walk into a house that looks like a model home with absolutely no signs of  life. 

People on tour expect to see some evidence that people still live there.  They have seen the photos online of the staged kitchen.

Stage your house

Now you can experiment with rearranging furniture to create sensible paths through your home, paths that make it easy for people on tour to see the room the most flattering way -- comfortable but not crowded. 

Once  you have basic furniture pieces positioned, you can begin rearranging your best decor items -- things like your bed coverings, wall art, plants and silk flowers, books, and other props.

How to make it easier: Go online to educate yourself about how other homes selling in your area look inside.         

Get the look, get the book

During what can be a stressful period, it's always a good idea to be kind to yourself. Stay in touch with friends and family. Continue whatever daily routines relax you -- getting outside for a walk, journaling, taking a leisurely bath, or just treating yourself to a cup of your favorite tea. 

Don't leave before you download my home staging eBook, DIY Homestaging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. Take advantage of my years as a real estate investor and home stager. 

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