By BJ LaVelle, Roost Real Estate
When a home is staged with the buyer in mind, it shows within the first thirty seconds of a showing. The homes that get multiple showings in the first weekend almost always share the same qualities: clean sightlines, warm light, and rooms that let a buyer picture their own life unfolding there.
Staging is not about hiding a home's flaws. It is about showing buyers exactly why this house is worth their offer. Here is what I recommend, from a Wayzata cottage to a Minnetonka rambler.
Key Takeaways
- Curb appeal matters year round around Lake Minnetonka, from raked leaves in October to cleared, salted walkways during winter showings
- Decluttering and depersonalizing open up sightlines, which matters most in open-concept homes with lake views
- Lighting and color choices should account for Minnesota's long winters and bright summers, not just look good in one season
- Staging should sell the lifestyle around the home, including patios, mudrooms, and proximity to Lake Minnetonka
- Small finishing touches, from fresh scent to minor repairs, are often what buyers remember after a showing
- Professional photography built on a well-staged home draws more traffic before a buyer ever walks through the door
Curb Appeal Sets the Tone Before Buyers Walk In
Buyers form an opinion before they reach the front step, and around Lake Minnetonka that first impression changes with the seasons. A home showing in October needs different attention than one in June, and I walk every listing's exterior with that in mind before scheduling the first tour.
Small Exterior Updates That Make a Big Difference
- Rake leaves and clear gutters for fall listings, and shovel and salt walkways for winter showings so buyers can focus on the home instead of the weather
- Paint or clean the front door, since it is often the single most photographed feature of the exterior
- Refresh mulch beds and trim overgrown shrubs, especially on the mature, tree-lined lots common around Wayzata and Orono
- Power wash siding, walkways, and the garage door to brighten stucco and brick exteriors that show wear over a Minnesota winter
- Add a simple planter or seasonal wreath at the entry to signal that the home has been cared for
Decluttering and Depersonalizing Open the Floor Plan
Once inside, buyers should be able to picture their own furniture, not someone else's. This matters everywhere, but especially in an open-concept lake home, where sightlines toward the water are the entire selling point of the space.
What I Ask Every Seller to Remove Before Photos
- Family photos and personal collections, which pull attention away from the architecture and the light
- Excess furniture that crowds a room and makes square footage feel smaller than it is
- Overflowing bookshelves and toy bins, which read as clutter even when a home is otherwise clean
- Bulky area rugs that break up sightlines in open concept living and dining spaces
- Anything stacked on countertops, including mail, small appliances, and everyday items buyers do not need to see
Lighting and Color Choices That Work With Minnesota's Seasons
Minnesota light changes dramatically between January and July, and staging that only looks good in bright summer sun can fall flat in a gray winter showing. I coach sellers to layer lighting so the home feels warm year round.
Staging Strategies for Long Winters and Bright Summers
- Open every blind and curtain before a showing to make the most of available daylight, particularly in homes with fewer south-facing windows
- Add table and floor lamps in darker corners, common in the older two-story homes found throughout Excelsior and Wayzata
- Choose neutral wall colors that photograph well in both bright summer light and the flatter light of a Minnesota winter afternoon
- Layer in warm textiles, like a throw blanket or patterned pillow, to keep neutral rooms from feeling cold during colder months
- Turn on every light fixture before photography and showings, even during the day
Stage the Lifestyle Buyers Are Actually Buying
Buyers are not just purchasing square footage. They are buying a way of living, and around Lake Minnetonka that often means access to the water, patios, and neighborhood gathering spots. Staging should reflect the lifestyle a home actually supports.
Highlighting the Way Lake Minnetonka Homes Get Lived In
- Set up a porch, deck, or dock-side seating for homes near Wayzata Bay or Excelsior, so buyers can picture three-season lake living
- Stage the mudroom with a bench, hooks, and boot tray, since buyers immediately notice whether a home has a real plan for coats and winter gear
- Set a dining table with simple place settings to suggest entertaining, which resonates with buyers drawn to the shops and restaurants in downtown Wayzata and Excelsior
- Stage a garage or boathouse corner with clean, organized storage for kayaks or paddleboards, since lake access is a major draw for buyers considering Orono and Minnetonka
The Small Finishing Touches Buyers Remember
The details that stay with a buyer after they leave are usually small, and worth catching the morning of a showing.
Details I Always Recommend Before the First Showing
- Keep scent light and clean, such as fresh linens or a light bake, rather than heavy air fresheners that can put off sensitive buyers
- Clear and shine kitchen counters completely, since a spotless kitchen photographs as the heart of the home
- Fold fresh towels and remove personal toiletries in every bathroom before a showing
- Fix the small things, including squeaky doors, chipped paint, and burnt out bulbs, since buyers notice what still needs work
- Invest in professional photography once staging is complete, since strong photos are what bring buyers to the door in the first place
FAQs
How much does home staging typically cost for a home near Lake Minnetonka?
Costs vary based on the size of the home and whether you need full staging or a partial refresh of key rooms. In my experience, a consultation paired with staging the main living areas, primary bedroom, and kitchen delivers the strongest return without staging every room in the house.
Do I need to stage every room?
No. I usually recommend focusing on the spaces buyers weigh most heavily, including the living room, kitchen, primary bedroom, and any flex space like a home office. Secondary bedrooms and storage areas can often stay simply decluttered.
Should I stage differently for a winter listing versus a spring or summer listing?
Yes. Winter listings benefit from warmer lighting, layered textiles, and extra attention to walkways and entries. Spring and summer listings can lean into natural light, outdoor staging, and highlighting patios or porches.
Ready to Stage Your Lake Minnetonka Area Home to Sell?
If you are listing a home in Wayzata, Excelsior, or anywhere around Lake Minnetonka, staging is one of the highest impact steps you can take before the first showing. I would welcome the chance to walk your home with you and build a staging plan suited to your timeline.
Roost Real Estate works with sellers across Wayzata, Edina, Orono, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Plymouth, and Maple Grove, and our team would love to help you get your home market ready. Visit Roost Real Estate to get started.
Roost Real Estate works with sellers across Wayzata, Edina, Orono, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Plymouth, and Maple Grove, and our team would love to help you get your home market ready. Visit Roost Real Estate to get started.
