Window treatments are always a topic of conversation in a Home Staging Consultation when I meet with Homeowners that are putting their house on the market.
1) If you have heavy drapery or valances take them down. This isn’t the look that buyers want right now plus they over power the room and hide the windows.   
Even drapery panels that cover the window in anyway should be taken down. At the very minimum, extend the rod out past the trim so the entire drapery panel hangs outside the windows themselves.
In the picture below my recommendation would be to take the panels down as they have the duet shades underneath for privacy. The shades should be all the way up to the top for MLS photos and showings. Hanging halfway down like this causes the eye to go right to those shades versus the room and architectural features of the house.
You want to show off what the buyer is actually buying which is the windows, the trim work and perhaps the view. The crown molding is now seen versus the curtain rod being the prominent feature.
If drapes provide your only means of privacy and that is an issue, then again hang them on the outsides of the windows as discussed above, but always take the valance down. Even if they are cute. 🙂 Valances visually reduce the height of the ceiling besides chopping off a portion of the window.
If you love the drapes and valances that’s great, take them with you to your new home!
2) Two inch wood blinds should remain on the windows and many buyers will find these an asset. For MLS photos and showings have them all the way down but with the slats turned flat so all the natural light comes through and the view is not obstructed.     
3) Mini-blinds is a room by room call. If they are in a main living area take them down if you can live with the lack of privacy for the short term. Usually it is best if mini-blinds are pulled all the up for photos and showings to let in the light but if they hang crocked when opened then leave them down but again the slats flat.
Every detail matters when selling your home. The MLS photos are a buyer’s first impression and drapes can alter how the buyer sees your home.
Bring in a trained and certified Home Staging Professional to assist you with every detail to get your home in top selling condition!
