Pricing a home accurately and presenting it properly are without a doubt two of the most important factors that contribute to a swift sale. Real Estate agents are generally far more in touch with home values than their clients. All too often they are faced with the challenge of dealing with sellers who have unrealistic expectations of their asking price.

Another area where every Real Estate professional needs to feel confident is in their ability to guide the seller as to how best present the home. Home staging is fast becoming an integral part of the sales process. I firmly believe that every home, no matter what the price point, needs to be staged to a certain degree. Before listing the home, it is essential that a thorough inspection take place. This should bring to light areas within the home that require attention.

With all the discussion about "over staging' and "understated', and criticism of staged homes looking too sparse and lacking warmth, let's not forget the basic principle of home staging and that is "to present a clean, tidy home that's in a good state of repair. This shows that the house has been well maintained. The interior decorating is actually of secondary importance

Having said all this ' I had a rather interesting meeting last week with a lady who called me for a staging consultation prior to listing her home for sale. Her concern was primarily about her furniture and the layout of the decorative accessories and the fact that they might not be placed correctly.

Granted this is very important, but on closer examination I couldn't help but notice that the light fittings were very dated and that the kitchens and bathrooms looked like they hadn't been cleaned or maintained. Immediate deal breakers I thought. The wooden front door appeared bleached and faded and it had been badly scratched by their hyperactive dog. The woman seemed almost surprised that my focus was on these parts of the home.

The point I'm trying to make is that at the end of the day, it is the home that is being sold, it is the bricks and mortar that remain not the furniture or the ambiance or the decorations. The interior can be decorated by the best home stager or designer but what really counts is what remains when the seller moves out and the new owners move in. Yes, staging is great, and it can do wonders for a home but the most important aspect is to present a scrupulously clean home that has the appearance of having been well maintained