How To Stage A Home You Still Live In

Selling a home while you're still living in it can be inconvenient, to say the least. From last-minute showings to constant cleaning — there is a lot of work involved. However, professionally staging your home while you're still living in it can be a whole new level of difficulty, especially if you're not prepared.

While it might be inconvenient, home staging is a vital selling technique that is proven to lead to a higher sale price. By taking the right steps, you can manage to pull off home staging even if you're still living in your home. The good news is home staging can also help you sell fast, which means you hopefully won't be in the situation for too long. Here are some tips to help you:

• Start By Preparing Yourself Mentally
  Once you've decided to list your home on the market, try to get used to the thought that the home is no longer yours. In order to stage the property, you're going to need to remove any personalized decor and create a neutral setting. Try to practice imagining the home and space belonging to someone else. It won't be long before you're in your new home anyway.
  
  
• Relocate About One-Third Of Your Things 
  Decluttering is important. While you may still be living in the house, you might need to start moving some things out in order to properly stage the home. Aim to remove about one-third of your belongings prior to listing your home. Focus on relocating things you don't use very often — boxes, holiday decor, and clothing you don't wear very often.
  
  
• Rent A Storage Unit
  Temporarily renting a storage unit for a couple of months can really help the staging process. You'll not only have an easy way to relocate your belongings, but you can also temporarily relocate furniture that doesn't fit your staging plans. Storage units are usually a couple hundred per month and the convenience they provide during the moving process is well worth the cost.
  
  
• Spend More Time Outside Of The House
  The more time you spend in the house, the more difficult it will be to keep it staged and clean. Consider taking a vacation or plan activities that keep you and your family out of the house as much as possible. The less time spent in the house, the easier it will be to maintain.
  
  
• Seek Help From A Professional
  Staging your home can be tricky, so it might help to seek out some professional help. Your real estate agent is a good starting point — they likely have significant experience. If you really want to create a popping scene, consider hiring a professional home stager. This investment will lead to some fantastic listing photos and will really impress buyers when they tour your listing.

Staging your home while you're still living in it can be a bit uncomfortable, especially if you have kids or pets. Just remember, the pain is worth the gain. Staging can help net you a higher price and sell your home quickly. Then, you'll be well on your way to moving into a brand new home of your own.

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