The big picture: You’ve signed on your new home – now your current one needs to sell. Strategic staging helps your home sell faster and often for more, shortening the gap between selling and moving day.
Staging isn’t decorating. It’s about helping buyers picture themselves in the home.
Use these strategies, so you can move into your new construction home sooner.
1. Win the first impression with curb appeal
Why it matters: First impressions start outside. Healthy landscaping suggests a well-cared-for home.
Do this:
Add fresh flowers along the entry.
Power wash siding, walkways, and the front door.
Clean exterior lights and windows.
Expert tip: Use black mulch over red – as it’s cleaner, more modern, and less distracting.
2. Depersonalize and simplify
Why it matters: Buyers can’t see past your life to imagine theirs.
Do this:
Remove family photos, memorabilia, and collections.
Pack away religious or political items.
Clear bathroom counters and shelves.
Pro rule: If it’s smaller than a football, it’s clutter.
3. Fix the obvious – and the almost-obvious
Why it matters: Buyers want move-in ready, not a to-do list.
Do this:
Inspect the home in full daylight.
Repair squeaks, chips, cracks, scuffs, and broken fixtures.
Replace visibly worn flooring.
Smart choice: Stick to neutral paint colors so buyers imagine their own style.
4. Clean like a model home
Why it matters: Clean = cared for.
Do this:
Return rooms to their original purpose.
Eliminate odors.
Keep the home cool and comfortable during showings
Pro tip: Ask your stager for trusted cleaning service referrals.
5. Invest in professional photos
Why it matters: Most buyers meet your home online first.
Do this:
Hire a professional photographer.
Include wide shots, multiple angles, and 360-degree views.
Result: More clicks, more showings, faster offers.
6. Bring in the pros when possible
Why it matters: Stagers know what sells – especially when buyers are comparing your resale home to new construction.
How staging helps your resale compete:
Creates a model-home look.
Makes rooms feel larger and brighter.
Downplays age or wear.
Keeps focus on space and layout, not updates.
Stager’s rule: Start with the largest furniture piece and subtract anything unnecessary.
The takeaway: You’re already investing in a brand-new home. Thoughtful staging helps ensure your current one sells quickly and competitively – keeping your move timeline and finances on track.
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Julie Gordey
A lifelong educator, Julie Gordey, is a retired school administrator. After years of focusing on education, this University of Texas graduate now travels and enjoys freelance writing for BDX and NewHomeSource.com.