Home Staging Dos and Don'ts

It's not easy to look at your own home with fresh eyes. You see a house full of memories and treasured possessions, but all potential buyers see is someone else's stuff. That's why we consulted several experienced home stagers to find out their top home staging dos and don'ts.

Karen Otto of Home Star Staging in Plano, Texas has had homeowners cry and walk out of the room when she tells them to remove sentimental pieces and photos from their home in order to stage it for sale. "I totally get it, but I tell them they're taking [the items] with them. We're not erasing their family from this home, we're allowing buyers to start seeing their experiences, dreams and memories in the home you hope they'll buy."

Home staging pros agree that an objective eye is a must. "Whether your Realtor, stager or neighbor comes by to offer it, take their advice," Otto says.

We asked three expert stagers--Otto; online home stager Kelly Fallis; and Colorado home stager Jamie DeBartolomeis--for their top home staging do's and don'ts. Here's their advice: