Many senior homeowners seeking to sell their homes and move into senior living communities have discovered that the real estate market is still rather tight. "Staging" a home for sale can make it sell faster and for more money -- at little or no cost.

With very little spending on home improvement to get a better price, a seller can improve her home's appeal with some home staging techniques recommended by decorating pros.

According to the Home Buying Institute, staging a home for sale normally involves things of an aesthetic nature, such as design, organization and overall appearance -- not mechanical or functional improvements.

• De-personalize and de-clutter: Eliminate distractions. One of the biggest mistakes home sellers make is expecting that potential buyers will recognize the value of the home despite the personal belongings. Buyers want to be able to see themselves in the home. If they are distracted by knick knacks and excessive family photos, they have a more difficult time visualizing their family in it.


• Simply rearranging your cupboards and closets can help. You may think that what is behind closed doors stays behind closed doors, but not to potential buyers. Many people will look in cupboards and closets simply to see how much storage space is available. By arranging your belongings you will create a more inviting feel, which can easily equate to a more comfortable living space.


• Make necessary home repairs. Buyers will notice cracks in paint and tile. A leaky faucet could easily turn a buyer off. Spice up your home with easy and inexpensive renovations. If you have a hard time pinpointing potential problems, ask an objective third party. It is unlikely that a serious bidder will not ask for necessary home improvements.


• It's important to create a clean, neat atmosphere. There is a laundry list of cleaning that should be done from window washing to re-caulking. Waxing floors, dusting cobwebs, and putting up decorative towels are simple yet crucial to creating a desirable appearance to your home.

Staging does not have to be expensive, but it does have to follow some guidelines. A vacant home leaves very little to the imagination. Adding the right amount of décor can create the atmosphere of the perfect home. Proper staging will make small rooms look large and awkward rooms look like the perfect niche. Keeping your home light with neutral tones will appeal to more buyers than dark colors. Add hints of color and excitement with primary colored throw pillow or a vibrant bouquet of flowers. Do not try to get too eccentric; you may make certain buyers uncomfortable.

For more tips on decorating on a budget and staging a home for sale, visit www.budgetdecoratingonline.com.