SELLER FOCUS

Home Staging Lets Your Home Shine for Buyers

With Lee Beth Dever and Zach Dodson

As the spring selling season approaches, many homeowners are getting their homes ready to attract buyers. Home staging involves arranging and showcasing your home so buyers can understand its space, flow, and possibilities. With strategic touches, you can help buyers notice your home’s best features right away.

“Staging is really just part of standard market prep,” says Lee Beth Dever. “With the right guidance, many sellers can do a lot themselves by focusing on what truly matters.”

Decluttering Comes First

“Decluttering is always where I start,” says Zach Dodson. “Before thinking about furniture placement or décor, sellers need to clear out anything that distracts from the space itself.”

Lee Beth encourages sellers to approach decluttering strategically. “Decluttering items you don’t need or want is one of the most impactful things a seller can do. I always suggest starting with storage areas and the garage. It clears physical space and makes the eventual move much easier.”

She advises sellers not to overthink the process. “This is not the time to organize photos or finish long-standing projects. Use plastic tubs with lids, label them, and stack them neatly out of the way. Buyers are not bothered by tubs. They are distracted by clutter.”

Let the Space Speak

Once clutter is removed, the focus shifts.

“We want to arrange the home so potential buyers can envision themselves there,” says Zach Dodson.

“Moving taller items out of the center of rooms helps buyers see the space more clearly,” adds Lee Beth Dever. “It opens the room and removes visual distractions that take away from the overall appeal.”

Zach explains further, “When sellers understand how a buyer will experience the home, they can prepare each room more effectively for the market.”

Lee Beth adds, “Many of my clients go through the market preparation process and afterward tell me they wonder why they didn’t do all of this while living there. Decluttering and staging makes spaces feel lighter, calmer, and more enjoyable to live in.”

This approach also leads to stronger listing photos and more confident showings.

Vacant Homes vs. Occupied Homes

Staging looks different depending on whether a home is vacant or lived in.

“Vacant homes need to be especially clean, and light staging can make a big difference,” Lee Beth says. Rugs, neutral décor, folded towels, and subtle countertop accents help soften the space and give buyers visual reference points. “Small touches help buyers feel more comfortable as they walk through.”

Occupied homes require thoughtful organization. “While on the market, sellers may need to temporarily put away ottomans, lamps, countertop appliances, personal bathroom items, and pet toys,” Lee Beth notes. Zach adds, “Staging often involves thinning out spaces and rearranging furniture so rooms feel open and intentional, using what the homeowner already has.”

The Role of Professional Staging

Professional staging can be a powerful tool to help buyers connect with your home.

“Many sellers can do a lot on their own with guidance,” Zach says. “But professional staging absolutely has its place, especially in homes with unique layouts or furnishings that are harder to visualize.”

Lee Beth adds, “Light staging can warm up a space, and professional staging can tell the story of a home in a way that truly resonates with buyers.” At Stephens Real Estate, we have seen homes that received little initial interest go on to sell quickly after professional staging. Knowing when to bring in a stager is part of having the right strategy in place.

Focus Where It Counts

Certain rooms deliver the biggest impact when staged.

“Kitchens and bathrooms benefit the most,” Lee Beth says. Zach adds, “I also emphasize the main living areas and primary bedroom, so buyers get a full sense of the home’s flow and functionality.”