When you are trying to sell your home it is important that potential buyers can envision living in the space. It is hard to envision that fourth bedroom as a study if it is chock full of your Star Wars memorabilia or your scrapbooking supplies. Home staging helps make this happen. Take advantage of these tips before your next open house.

1. Think hotel. Hotel rooms are so inviting for one reason. They are not cluttered. Clean lines and open spaces welcome people in. Box up anything you can before showing the house. In the bathroom think white. White towels, white rugs, and white accessories make the room look fresh and clean.

2. Let there be light. Take down the heavy drapes (sheer curtains are OK). Open the blinds and let the sun in. Unless they’re a vampire, no potential buyer wants a dark house. Turn on all the lights even closet and bathroom lights. Just don’t forget to clean the windows. Buyers want sparkle not streaks.

3. Go au naturale. If you have hardwood floors then take off the rugs. Hardwood floors are a huge advantage when selling a home. Bonus points if you scrub them until they look like new.

4. Sweat the small stuff. If you have any old fixtures or cabinet pulls replace them. If your outlet plates are dingy replace them. If your vent covers are more grime then shine it’s time to get a few more. These are cheap inexpensive fixes that can be the difference between selling and not selling.

5. Can you fix it? Yes, you can. Make sure any broken blinds are replaced. Screw in new light bulbs. Fix the drawer that sticks or the cabinet that squeaks. Clean appliances, including the hot water heater. Fix any leaky faucets.

6. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Repaint your front door, spruce up the porch area. Add new numbers for the address. Clean the mailbox. Anything you can do to help curb appeal will help you get to a quick sale.

Visit www.KairosEstates.com for more home staging tips, free reports, and a free market analysis to find out what your house is worth. They are located at 501 W. Glenoaks Blvd #449 in Glendale. To reach Kairos Estates you can call (818) 632-9429.