Greg - Sellers are beginning to ask for this service in my area.  They may not heed all the advice, but hearing the oversized coffee table blocks traffic flow from a design expert often results in its disappearance.  I pay for the initial consultation and it more than pays for itself in positive feedback from showing agents.

There are frequent snow storms in my area. I find it is very important to make sure my listings are shoveled and easy to show.

Um, Greg, as a staging realtor for 18+ years, these are the things a good realtor should do in their first walk through of the property.  GREAT for the seller and compliments staging. BUT, having said that, look at a hobby staged home vs a professionally staged home and there is a world of difference.  The buyers like knowing a home has been gone through and that there aren't a number of little repairs, etc.  They can see past the "stuff" but like knowing the function of rooms.  You try as a Realtor to be all things to the client, but shortcutting on the staging is a big mistake, really.  What do you know about color mapping, showcasing, function, focal point where there are none, etc.  These are the things that differientiate a great staged home from a hobby, homeowner or realtor staged home.  YES I use professional stagers!!!  Really I do.  I speak from a place of where you started and I learned by comparing.   Good points though, and a good start for many Realtors who don't want to get involved in the "list" portion of the preparing a home for sale.

I worked with designers prior real estate career. So, I am loving staging and decoration process. But it is not always easy to come in to someones else's place and change things around.  Some sellers are happy and open to the idea of painting, moving furniture and organizing. But some people think that their place is perfect as it is. I am also a painter, so I paint oils for staging my listings. Did you ever rented art work? How much did it cost to you?

Wow, Irina, painting your own artwork.  Amazing.  I do think that sellers who understand why's of staging are quite receptive to you moving things...they just need an education.  IF we are afraid to tell them, they are eager not to have us make the changes, as they don't know how much difference it will make.

Some people certainly can have the knack of staging a home successfully - but my experience is, those are the people who probably do not have to do much staging because it's already done; it's a way of life for them and they have a natural gift for design and decor.

Others simply do not have the vision or the eye needed.  My mother always thought her home looked beautiful - even though she had no CLUTTER around (as in knick knacks and "junk") she had every square inch of wall space covered by some hulking piece of furniture; whether it was a too-big dining set combined with a dry sink and china closet in the relatively small dining room, or a gigantic oversized bedroom set in a small bedroom...she just didn't see that less was more.

When I asked for my grandfather's dry sink, I thought that finally, you'd be able to move around in her dining room.  Nope, that very week she got something she'd always wanted but had no wall space for it:  a roll top desk!  Oy!

And just because someone is a realtor doesn't mean they necessarily have a good eye.  Sometimes, all it takes is decluttering and cleaning; but sometimes, especially if there's a lot of competition, it takes just a bit more. 

Last year, i had a listing that was half vacant and showed poorly.  Everyone hated the home and the floorplan.  I was recommended to a professional stager that came in with furniture, paintings, vases, towels, etc.

At the next open house I got nothing but positive remarks on the home.  People seeing it for a second time were amazed.  The seller was mad they painted the door red, but it sold quickly after at asking price. 

So, yes....this needs to be done in the beginning.  Hire someone that can give the seller a checklist of things to do or someone that will come in and stage the home. 

Irina,

You might try contacting local Jr. Colleges or High Schools. The students often have amazing pieces of artwork (including sculptures) that I'm certain they would love to have rented for your homes. Who knows? Maybe a buyer will take a liking to the piece and want to purchase it along with the house!