Why clean when you can stage?

I love the transition between seasons in Cary. The world-famous Sarah P. Duke Gardens are not far away, but even in my own neighborhood, vibrant pink, white, and yellow flowers bloom overnight, and the first thunderstorms of spring arrive just behind them. Meanwhile, the staccato sound of woodpeckers hammering at trees accompanies early morning dog walkers. Bright red cardinals flit from one branch to the next, while wild rabbits hop across suburban lawns. Spring also brings Mardi Gras (today!), and "March Madness," which is a very big deal in the Tar Heel state.

The real estate market gets busy this time of year, but what many people forget is that a good way to approach spring cleaning, and even make it fun, is to think in terms of what you would do to stage your home successfully (whether you intend to sell it soon or not).

For example, good realtors know that the right window treatments matter, and that attention to detail in landscaping can be the difference between getting top dollar for a property and having it sit on the market longer than you anticipated.