9 Stage Decorating Ideas to Sell Your House Fast

Listed by Kimberly Van Hal; sale pended in 10 days.

Ready to find your dream home? Do you need to sell your current house first? You may think your house will get snatched up right away but, currently, homes in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area are listed for an average of just over 80 days. Estimate another 30-60 days to close the sale and you could be waiting until mid-summer to move into that dream home!

If you want to shorten that time frame and get your house sold faster, start by staging it. 

Make your home speak to buyers.

That is not always as easy as it seems. Our homes are personal. They represent who we are; they are memory books to our travels; they trumpet our likes and beliefs. It is difficult for a potential buyer to imagine your house as their dream home when it so clearly speaks of you. Here are nine tips to ace your staging and help get your house sold quickly.

Tidy up.

Cleaning may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the phrasing "staging a home." but it is one of the most important steps. A clean and organized home will be vastly more appealing.

• Clear out any unnecessary clutter. This includes magazines and mail that has been piling up on the coffee table as well as an overabundance of knick-knacks.

• Personal artefacts, like family photos, should go too. Leaving these out will make potential buyers feel as though they are touring your house rather than viewing it as their possible new home.

• Closets and storage spaces should be left almost empty so you can show them off to potential buyers. If you find yourself with tons of boxes, you may need to rent a storage unit.

Add a fresh coat of paint.

Paint is an effective way to set the mood of your house. You should opt for a neutral color like off-white or grey. This will appeal to the largest number of people and give you a blank slate to work off of. Even if your walls are already a light neutral color, consider repainting if the years have caused them to become discolored or knicked. A fresh coat of paint will make your house feel new and refreshed.

Be cognizant of the effects of your furnishings as neutral as possible.

Do you have a funky paisley couch or a bright pink carpet? While they give a room personality, they are distracting for a buyer.

• Furniture should also be sized properly for the room.