Home staging is a concept that has really come into its own in the last couple of years according to expert and author, Barbara Jennings, of the Academy of Staging and Redesign. As the real estate boom has busted and so many properties have gone into foreclosure or are on the brink of doing so, real estate staging is one critical step every homeowner should utilize to help their home take center stage.

Attention to detail makes the difference. When staging for sale, one should follow some specific tactics to achieve the best results. Here are five basic mistakes to avoid:

1) Never sell a property empty. All too many people remove everything from the property and enlist the services of an agent to show a completely bare home. While this process involves less risk of damage or theft of furnishings, it is the worst way to put a property on the market. Buyers can see the shell of the property, but they will struggle to make an emotional connection with it which is essential to the process of getting them to make an offer.

2) Never sell a property unorganized. On the opposite side of the spectrum, many people try to sell their property while still living in the property and they don’t realize there is a huge difference between living in a property and selling a property. Homeowners often allow their rooms to become unorganized. They over decorate or severely under-decorate.

3) Never sell a property that needs repair. Pay attention to the little details – because buyers will notice every little problem and magnify it in their minds. No one wants to buy a property that requires repairs – even little ones. Repairs will have to be made anyway after the property is inspected.

4) Never sell a dirty property. Living with your own dirt is one thing but no one wants to buy a filthy property. Your home must pass the white glove test to make the best impression.

5) Never sell a property that has an odor. The nose is one of the most powerful senses we have and when a buyer enters a property, they will pick up on smells that the homeowner does not notice. A smelly property is one of the biggest turn offs to prospective buyers. Air fresheners can help but they only mask over the odors and do not eliminate them.

Smart owners ask their neighbors, friends and relatives to walk through their property before they are put on the market. It costs nothing to get their opinions and could serve as valuable insight into what additional real estate staging might need to be done.

Barbara Jennings has over 20 years experience in the interior redesign and home staging industry. Barbara’s Academy of Staging and Redesign is the world’s largest and most affordable home study interior redesign and home staging training center.