As a professional home stager you have a responsibility to your client to shoot straight from the hip! You are there to tell them exactly what they need to do, in your opinion, to get their house sold!
The following are a few thoughts regarding how best to proceed:
1. View the home through "buyers eyes" gathering quick, impromptu 'first impressions' of the exterior and interior. Critically look from all angles, front back and side views. Identify the problems. Create solutions, paying special attention to the curb appeal and entrance of the home.
2. Do your homework. Learn the demographics of the area, know your target market, then accessorize accordingly. Is it predominately young families, empty nesters or saavy urbanites? Is there a special attraction in the area that you should incorporate into your design?
3. Be totally honest with your client. Tell them not only what they want to hear . . . but what they NEED to hear. If there is a big white elephant in the room . . . TELL THEM!
4. Handle sensitive issues such as the need to declutter, clean, remove furniture, change paint colors, eliminate offensive odors . . . just to name a few. If the wall covering needs to be stripped, bathroom needs to be caulked, or windows need to be cleaned . . . TELL THEM! Remember, you, the seller and the realtor are all wearing the same color of jersey, and playing on the same team!
5. Your client is counting on your expertise to successfully guide them through the difficult maize of preparing their home to stand out in this competitive market. Shoot straight from the hip, and tell them exactly what needs to be done for a quicker, more profitable sale!
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_196918_33.html