Essentials for Your Home Staging Toolkit

You want to catch a potential buyer's attention the second they step into a home. So, the first step is to impeccably stage the first room your prospects will see. You want it to capture their imagination. Buyers want to see themselves in a home. A home staging toolkit helps agents stage homes just right so prospective buyers imagine themselves living there.

Many real estate agents will use a professional home staging company. But whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in real estate, you need your own home staging toolkit. Even a home that has been professionally staged will still need your personal touch. You’ll find yourself using your staging toolkit often in your career for quick little fixes in homes.

Home staging toolkit must-haves:

• Container with lid
• Lint roller for quick cleanup of furniture
• Felt floor protector pads for furniture legs
• Scratch remover for hardwoods
• Mini level
• Gorilla glue (a hot glue gun also comes in handy)
• Tape (blue painters and scotch)
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Extension cord
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Multi-purpose tool
• Cleaning supplies, including a microfiber cleaning cloth for dusting
• Carpet spot and stain removers
• Paper towels and an extra roll of toilet paper
• Trash bags

Often, your sellers will live in their home until after it sells. Having your home staging toolkit on hand helps when you spot problems to fix before open house prospects arrive. Dusty furniture, lighting you can't plug in, stains -- these can turn off prospects. Real estate agents want to be ready for anything, and a staging toolkit helps. You never know when your role might quickly change from agent to Jane- or Jack-of-all-trades.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.