The real estate market is certainly not what it used to be; of that we can all be certain. But regardless of the economy, homeowners still find themselves in a position where they have to sell their home. Moving out of a home is stressful enough but you have to sell it first; and that can be the most stressful part of all – especially when you need to move the property quickly.

Selling a home is a tricky thing, as much because there are so many variables that affect a person’s decision to buy. The look of a home, the first impression it makes, the color schemes that are used throughout the design – these are all elements that affect a potential homebuyer’s sense of a property. While we are taught to look beyond the current décor and imagine our own belongings in the home most of us find that this is easier to do if the home we are looking at is neutral and in keeping with our own taste.

Staging is a term that refers to the readying of a property for potential sale. A series of steps are taken in order to make the home for sale an empty palette onto which potential buyers can imagine infusing their own personality. Clutter is removed, personal objects are put away, walls are painted, and the rooms are staged to look inviting – almost as if they are a model home. Some of the more commonly used items that home sellers use in the staging process include:

* Paint. This is a big one as it is important to make the home as neutral as possible.

* Furniture. Consider that the shabbiness of furniture can have a negative impact on the overall aesthetics of the home; upgrade and freshen where you can.

* Accessories. While clutter is a no-no, well chosen pieces used to stage a home can have vast visual appeal. Clocks for instance – mantel clocks, wall clocks, and even grandfather clocks – can make any room in the home appear welcoming while still giving it a finished, sophisticated look.

In the next post we’ll further discuss the ways in which clocks can transform a home for the better when home sellers chose to stage their property.