I really do not have a lot to say about this but have a few thoughts and maybe some good comments will come my way with some advice.  I know from living on the west coast clients are a little more tuned into getting their home ready.  It seems that here in the Siouxland area (Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota meet) it is hard to get clients to clean up.  I mean they clean their house but do not put away or pack their STUFF.  I have been polite stressing that we want the home seeker to see themselves in the house.  Recently I have tried the tactic of telling the homeowners after an open house what comments were made about the house.  This seems to work.  Every seller wants to sell. Here in Sioux City we do not have many model homes in the area but have suggested they tour the few we have to get ideas.  I ask them what they like about the model homes.  I hear comments like the house wasn't crowded it furniture.  Not heavily decorated.  Liked the fixtures, paint colors and flooring.  I then suggest that some of these ideas are not expensive to do.  Updating fixtures can do wonders for a dated home.  Can't afford to replace carpet?  Place a nice area rug in the room.  I try not to over burden them with big pricey stuff.  Many homeowners in Sioux City are not in the position to spend large amounts to fix the house up.  Heck if they had the money it would have been done while living in it, not just waiting till it's time to sell.