Alexandra Lasky is a Realtor associate with Prestige Realty Group working in Miami.

Every week, we ask a real estate professional for their Short List, a collection of tips and recommendations on an essential topic in real estate. This week, we talked with Alexandra Lasky, a Realtor associate with Prestige Realty Group, who shared her top staging tips. 

6. Keep a Clean and Tidy Home – No potential buyer is going to be able to see the full possibility of a home if it is cluttered with things, especially personal belongings. De-clutter and de-junk – this is key. Also, remember cleaning products are your friend – no one likes a smelly kitchen. The home should be tidy and clean to show off its best qualities.

5. Curb Appeal – Not all homes are going to have a front yard. Whether your home is in a high-rise or has a yard, make sure the outside is just as appealing as the inside. Potential buyers could be turned off by your home if the front door paint is chipping, the grass is neglected or the landscaping is lacking. It is important to make a good first impression. The outside appearance of your home many times is what gets the buyer through the door.

4. Simple Adjustments go a Long Way – You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get your home staged. It can be as simple as a new paint color to bring life to a room. A nice area rug can change a room dramatically. If your home has lots of colors try for a black and white rug with a basic pattern. If you have a neutral color palate go for a bolder pattern or color. HINT: Updating old and outdated furniture with some furniture spray paint and new knobs from your local hardware store is an easy and inexpensive fix.

3. Show off your Statement Pieces – You want your home to stand out over the rest. Make your home shine by showing off the wonderful aspects it has to offer. Maybe it’s your fireplace that you want to feature by hanging a statement painting above it, or maybe it’s the beautiful crown molding that you can make pop with a contrasting shade of color. Be careful not to compete with the focal points of the room, but to compliment them.

2. Tie the Rooms Together – Not every room has to match or look the same, but it’s nice if there is a cohesive theme throughout. Adding similar color palettes through out with accent pillows, area rugs and or even lampshades can keep a unified look throughout your home. Remember to try and be gender neutral, since you are looking to appease both men and women.

1. Have Fun – Design isn’t supposed to be so serious, you should enjoy the process, but be careful not to go overboard. Get advice from friends and family to see the overall consensus – ask them to join in on the fun! Another set of eyes and hands go a long way when staging your home. Enjoy!

Alexandra Lasky is a rising talent in the South Florida market, and her knowledge and passion for design and art, and her love of working with people have been great in facilitating the start of her promising real estate career.