My branding coach always says that I don’t want to just attract clients, I want to attract the right clients for me and my message needs to align with my ideal clients expectations. Selling your house is really no different. Your house has to align with your ideal buyer’s wants and needs. And, most likely, her buyer is going to be someone younger than her looking for a fresher feeling space.

Attracting the right buyers is great. Aligning with their expectations is even better.

I believe that you can sell your house quickly in any market. You just need the right tools and information. So what can you do to attract today’s buyers and make them really, really want your house when they come to see it? Here are some Home Staging tips that buyers in 2013 love to see:

Lots of Pictures

20-25 photos will really display your property and give buyers plenty of information to consider a visit. You know that happens when you do that? You know that when someone is coming to your house, they really liked what they saw online and you are more likely to get an offer.

Kitchen Updates

Now, if you have a recently updated kitchen, you are in great shape and just need to follow these Home Staging tips for your photos and showings:

– clear your countertops for your photo session.

– remove all accessories that are placed on top of cabinets, including plants. Honestly, that is more likely to turn off buyers than the older model refrigerator.

– remove all magnets from the refrigerator

– remove the banana tree-I see this so often and always wondered who bought those things. um… everyone it seems.

Once your photos are taken, I am more lenient about what you can keep out just don’t make it look like you are having an appliance or tchotchke yard sale! That said, keep the stuff off the tops of the cabinets. It really dates your house and turns today’s buyers off.

If your kitchen is older and full of oak cabinetry, your first thought may be to add granite counters. Honestly, you would be amazed what just painting the cabinets and updating to stainless appliances can do when Staging your kitchen. Buyers today love lighter kitchens. 9 out of the top 10 kitchens on houss.com last year had white cabinetry-and all had stainless appliances-so dig out your paint gear and get going!

Neutral Paint Colors

Do you have a room (or two) that even you are questioning may be turn off to buyers? Go with your gut on this one! I’d rather have you put in extra work now than be left sitting with an unsold house later. There are some great neutrals that can work beautifully with a lot of color schemes.

Bathroom Updates

Buyers today love a spa like setting in the bathroom. You can Stage it by:

– painting a neutral color

– adding white towels (not embellished with chords or trim or themed)

– adding a white shower curtain

– making sure everything is off the counters

– removing bathmats or rugs of any kind on floor or toilet seat cover

– removing the plunger from next to toilet

– painting dated tile

– changing out the mirror and/or light fixture

– adding a frameless shower enclosure

Window Updates

I’m strictly talking about the decorative element of windows here. I see so many outdated window treatments in my line of work and they are probably the things that I change most often in my clients’ homes. Valances, swags and jabots, and fat verticle blinds really make your house feel tired and old. Buyers today like straight panels that reach the floor and natural woven shades. Now, I know that buyers can easily change out the window treatments themselves, but honestly, they can’t visualize how your house could look hip and fresh with the outdated ones in place. Invest in some reasonably priced ones from Target and Ikea-my go to sources for inexpensive fashionable window coverings-and they might even ask to include the treatments in the sale.

I hope that these tips will work for you!