There are so many how-to articles about how to get your home prepared and ready for the real estate market, including where to spend your time and money. Just head to Pinterest and you will find hundreds of images about how to lay out your furniture, or what color paint you should use to attract the most amount of buyers. But have you ever searched for a list of “what not to do" when it comes to home staging? The simplest mistakes can be deal-breaking and can cost sellers money and more time on the market.

During a busy selling season, staging becomes that critical step that helps set the home apart from the competition. It allows a home to be showcased in its best light and appeal to a wide range of buyers. A well-staged home will enhance the features of a home and help potential buyers envision themselves in the home.

Recently, Redfin contacted me and several other home stagers and asked us to contribute our best tips for things to avoid when it comes to staging your home. There were so many great submissions!

My advice is to always start with decluttering and cleaning your home. Those two things will make such a big difference, and any other dressing up is just icing on the cake. To see more tips to avoid, check out the full list here.

And if you are looking to sell it is always a good idea to have a professional walk through your space and help you put together a plan for presenting your home. A home stager can provide ideas and suggestions that will help your home sell faster and for more money.