Family photos can help create a personalized, cozy atmosphere, but they're not the best decor when it comes to home staging.
"You want to make sure that buyers immediately go, 'This is how I want to live,'" Meridith Baer said. "So, obviously, they don't want to see your family photographs all over the place. They want to see themselves living there."
Mazzarini also recommended taking out family photos and kids' toys.
"All those things have to come down because while it is your personal taste, it also reflects your personal values," Mazzarini said.
If you do want to keep a few toys out to appeal to parents, Baer said to opt for neutral, high-quality ones that don't grab too much attention — and to keep them organized in a kid's room, rather than in the main living space.