Thinking about listing your home in the coming months? Professional staging is a must, but tailoring your approach to the season can make this tactic even more effective. Here are some of the things that our real estate agents recommend that our clients do when staging their Baton Rouge homes for sale in the fall.

• Upgrade Your Lighting
  Fall's shorter days make good lighting even more important. Make your home's lights shine with new fixtures. You can also use layered lighting principles to highlight focal areas in places like your office or living room. Place a desk or floor lamp in spots where you tend to spend the most time, then add wall sconces or recessed ceiling lights to accent your design. 
  
  
• Put Your Outerwear Away in Style
  Buyers don't need to see your family's extensive collection of fall jackets. Instead of leaving them out by the door, hide them from sight in a pretty foyer cabinet. If you're relying on a hallway closet for storage, try upgrading it with mirrored or glass-paneled sliding doors. Make sure you keep it organized and easy to open during all viewings.
  
  
• Get Your HVAC Checked Out
  Buyers will notice if your home is uncomfortably chilly during viewings. Get your HVAC system inspected by a professional during the staging process so you can feel confident turning the heat on before visits. Get any necessary repairs done immediately and let your real estate agent know about them. They'll make sure buyers know that your system is in tip-top shape and unlikely to need more investment anytime soon. 
  
  
• Cozy is King
  Fall weather brings people back indoors, making cozy home environments even more appealing to buyers. Make your home feel more inviting by adding some soft throw pillows and blankets to chairs and sofas. Gather seating close together to create conversation areas where buyers can imagine their friends and family gathering. If you have a fireplace, light a fire in the grate about a half-hour before scheduled visits. It'll be crackling merrily by the time buyers arrive.
  
  
• Tempt Buyers with Treats
  Offering buyers a small sweet treat during their visit will make your home stand out in their minds later on. Cookies, tarts, muffins, and other hand-held goodies work best because they can easily be taken from room to room during the visit. For added impact, bake the treats right before a tour is set to begin. We've used this trick when hosting many of our Baton Rouge open houses, and the sweet aroma it creates always leaves a strong impression on buyers.
  
  
• Keep Your Lawn Tidy
  Curb appeal is no less important in fall than in summer. Keep your property looking neat by continuing to mow the lawn regularly and watering as needed. Rake up any dead leaves on your lawn and place them in yard waste bags or compost piles. Put any children's toys away and place your patio furniture in neat configurations around your table or fire pit.
  
  
• Spruce Up Your Porch
  Porches offer tons of exterior decorating opportunities that you can use to win buyers over before they even step through the front door. Give yours a makeover with a new welcome mat, some planters or festive fall pumpkins, and a pretty wreath for your front door. You'll set the stage for a standout viewing experience that's sure to attract those high-value offers you're looking for.

Staging is just one part of the process of selling your home. Our team of professionals can help you with everything from taking listing photos to finalizing negotiations before closing. Contact us today for more information on our real estate services or to start working with one of our trusted agents.