As some of our readers know, earlier this year I made a big career transition, leaving behind the field of non-profit marketing to enter the fun and exciting world of real estate. It's been a big change, but one that I've welcomed with open arms. As a licensed Realtor with McEnearney Associates, the number one firm in Alexandria, I'm so fortunate to have such talented and professional colleagues and to have such an amazing area in which I work. There's so much I've learned about the industry that I didn't know as a member of the "public," one key item being the amount of work involved in getting a house ready to go on the market.

Outside of my own home projects, my friends and family know that I love to decorate...and well, let's be honest, rearrange their homes. Luckily my mother in law is a good sport and tolerates me rearranging her vast Spode Christmas china collection, dining room hutch, and even furniture and art placements. I've even been known to dig through my friend Kelly's basement to search for new accessories and items to display in her living room. My friend Chrissy smiles knowing that every time I come to visit her in Chicago, I'll be rearranging her photo ledges in her foyer. While this has been a hobby of mine for years, now I get to put this skill to work for me in my day job.

The one thing we, as agents, repeatedly stress to sellers is that the way you sell your home is very different from the way you live in your home. Most of us have areas that aren't scrubbed clean, closets that serve as hiding spots for clutter when guests arrive, and excess furniture or personal effects that we live with. When you're preparing your home for sale, every nook and cranny needs to be clean, organized, and ready for the discerning eyes of buyers. I recently worked with a colleague to prepare a row house for its online photo shoot, and wanted to share a few before and afters with you to demonstrate the difference in how we live vs. how we sell.

Old Town is known for its historic properties, which in most cases, means they're also modestly sized for today's standards. This home was no different, coming in at a whopping eleven feet wide. So, in order to put the home's best face forward, part of our job as agents is to paint it in the best light, making sure it's clean, landscaped, and presented in a way that's appealing to the masses.

While we primped the entire house, rehung artwork, and brought in a few small pieces of furniture and accessories, there were two areas I really honed in on and spent most of my time reworking.

Here's a look at the "mudroom" area set up behind the front door. Without a true coat closet on the first floor (just like our home), the owners created an area to hang coats, store shoes, and drop and store items such as keys, sun glasses, and kid paraphernalia.