Staging a home for an open house or a walk through certainly isn't an exact science, and there are plenty of schools of thought about lighting, furniture placement and the like. However, many of the commonly accepted truths about what potential buyers like to see during an open house are fortunately inexpensive or free to implement. For example, one of the biggest issues here is to stow away all personal belongings like family photos, kids' sports trophies and so on. Other Steps To TakeThe principle of working around the house to clear up things buyers might not want to see extends to clutter that can build up in any home, the report said. Going through a house and clearing off packed countertops and old boxes out of basements and garages will go a long way toward making a home look more attractive. And once that's done, other things pro home stagers tend to recommend - like rearranging furniture - becomes a lot easier.
 Finally, it's often a good idea to also make sure a home smells "neutral" before prospective buyers arrive. That means cleaning everything a few days in advance and waiting for all the smells of cleaning to fade. And for those who really want a home to smell like something, some agents recommend baking a batch of fresh cookies for the open house so visitors have something to snack on and because it makes a whole house smell fantastic. Don't Overdo ItHowever, when going through these steps, sellers and their agents may also have a tendency to go overboard as they try to spice up a home. Some may decide it would be wise to re-tile an entire bathroom or completely redo the area around a fireplace. This kind of effort usually isn't necessary, and can be quite expensive and time-consuming. Instead, simply painting can go a long way toward making an old feature more attractive at a low cost. 
 And for those who are willing to go a little more in-pocket, taking the time to buy new smaller appliances like microwaves or dishwashers can make a kitchen seem a lot more modern even if other features are a little bit old-fashioned, the report said.
 This is just a small list of the lowest-cost steps to getting a home looking as good as possible for upcoming an open house or walk through. Agents with experience will also be able to impart plenty of wisdom to their clients about things like curb appeal, lighting, landscaping and more. By combining all the different ideas about what makes a home staging successful, it should be easy to arrive at the best possible end point to make clients and buyers happy.