Staging a house is easy, right. You’ve seen it on TV. All you need is $2,000, and it will be gorgeous.

I don’t think so! That is not going to happen unless you have a crew of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and shopping experts, all working on your home- for free.

There are easy ways to stage a house, but you must by realistic that staging doesn’t always work. I don’t care how beautiful you make your home, if it is on a busy street, or in a bad market, you may not be able to sell it unless you drastically drop the price.

I’ve sold a lot of homes in neighborhoods where the neighbors used their front lawns as parking lots for old cars. I’ve sold almost all of the homes I’ve lived in quickly; one within 24 hours.

Here are some real-life staging tips for those of us that don’t have either the budget, skill, or a camera crew and team to help us.

– Make sure the exterior of your home is as nice as possible. You can’t make a sale if you can’t get them in the front door.

First impressions are important. Replace the doormat, paint the front door, and put some flowers out for buyers to look at while the realtor is trying to unlock the door. Keep the lawn green and keep it mowed. If you need to turn it green fast, there are liquid sprays that will do the job.

– Get rid of clutter. Everyone agrees on this. Your rooms will look more spacious, and the more light you can let into your home, the better.

As far as clutter, what is in dispute is the definition of clutter.

Some people will tell you to take down all of your personal pictures. I believe personal items look fine in a home, as long as there are not too many of them.

One of the homes we sold had family pictures all along the long entry hallway. We were told, after our home sold, that these pictures helped sell the home. Apparently the buyers liked the pictures, and it gave them a good feeling about how the house suited raising a nice family.

So I guess if you’ve got pictures that look like they came with the frame, they are an asset. However, if your pictures look more like mug shoots, or are on the gothic side, you better get them down.

You can always put extra items in a pod to get them out of your home, but it will cost money, and if your house doesn’t sell, it is a wasted expense. It is best to keep the garage clear, but if it is only a few items, it will save money to just put them in the garage or attic. If you are lucky enough to have a relative or close friend with extra storage space, ask for help.

– Get rid of as many taste specific items in your home as possible. No one wants to buy a “project, ” unless you are selling a “fixer-upper” at a low price.

Wallpaper is a lot of work to remove, and few people like the same wallpaper designs. It is also a lot of work to cover dark paint with a lighter color. Both of these things could stop a sale. If you do decide to repaint your walls, make them as appealing as possible by painting a color appropriate for the room’s light orientation.

– Make sure your home is clean, and there are no unfinished projects. Sellers and buyers see “projects” differently. The seller may think they are “no big deal,” but the buyer gives a mental sigh, and imagines they are going to be much more difficult to fix.

If you are sure you are moving, minor home updates are worth the money. Avoid putting a lot of money into upgrading your home. You won’t get it back when you sell.

– Buyers will open cupboards and drawers. Make sure everything is neat and tidy, and the buyers will feel more confident that you take good care of your things.

– Remove any fake flowers, which are probably dusty. Keep your drapes and blinds open as far as possible, to let in as much light as possible. Spend a couple dollars and invest in one of the many types of electric air fresheners than run 24/7.

– Make each room in your home seen like a asset. You do not want people to feel like they are paying for wasted space. Rearrange the furniture in your home, if necessary, while your home is on the market so that each space in your home looks important.

Make as many “special places” in your home as possible. If you have a window with a pretty view, put a chair in front of it. Most people buy for emotional reasons. You never know which part of your home will make them want to buy it.

– Remove the pets. You will lose a lot of potential buyers if you have pets in your home. Pets can hurt your potential sale for a number of reasons. People are scared of dogs, and often just want to get out of your house.

Some people feel that pets inside a house just cause too much damage, and they don’t want to feel they are buying a pet house. All pets have accidents. They stain carpets, and sometimes you just can’t get rid of the smell.

I know it sounds insensitive to pet owners. However, pets also have odors. You get use to them when you live with it.

– Always leave your home when you have a showing. The buyers will not be able to relax in your home when you are there, and they will have a difficult time visualizing your home being their home. It is uncomfortable for everyone. Just get in your car, and park around the corner if necessary.

– Lay out any information about the neighborhood or house that is informative, and shows the buyers you care about their purchase.

When people buy items in a store, they expect the store to stand behind the quality of their purchases. You score a lot of points with potential buyers if you let them know that you have taken care of your home. Let them know the things you have done, and some of the things that will make your home special for them.

Some of these things may be information about the local schools, parks and other community amenities. If someone is seriously considering buying your home, they will be glad to see that you have kept the appliance manuals.

It is also considerate to let them know about the landscaping. We had a map for one house we sold of the yard, and it listed the type of fruit tree we planted, including the variety of the fruit.

Other items of interest would be receipts for recent updated items,like the roof or water heater, or added drainage pipes and air vents. Buyers often want to know if the home owner did the work, of it it was done by professions.

Always tell the truth. Some very honest people lie when they get desperate. Sellers fill out a fact sheet about their home. They have to answer questions like “Is there asbestos in the home?” Most of the sheets I’ve seen are checked in the “I don’t know” column. However, if you around at the popcorn ceiling, you can see where someone has taken down a sample for testing.

Be honest about your utility costs. Your buyers can call the utility company about any house that they are interested in, and get a high a low amount on the utility bills.

Finally, don’t over price your home. Most homes sell before the listing gets stale. Look at your competition before putting your home on the market, and be realistic. Price it right, and hold firm on the price when you receive an offer.

Author Bio: About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate,