Staging Your Home on a Budget
When it's time to sell your home presentation is important. Staging your home can not only increase its value on the open market, but it can make it more appealing to buyers. The staging process can be expensive, especially if you hire a professional. However, there are some things you can do to stage your home that won't break the bank.
Declutter
One of the biggest and most basic things you can do when for staging a home on a budget is to declutter. If your home is cluttered with belongings it will not show as well as a home that is organized. When staging your home for potential buyers, always remember that less is more.
Decluttering your home doesn’t cost anything other than your time. When you are staging your home on a budget you need to remove as many personal belongings as you can. This means the family portraits on the walls and your collection of refrigerator magnets need to go. Removing the clutter and personal items clears the space of items that may be a distraction from the features of your home. You are also giving potential buyer a blank canvas to imagine themselves in your home. You should also remove any pet items. Not everyone has a pet and some buyers are uncomfortable with the idea of buying a home that has been shared with them. If you are unsure if you have thoroughly decluttered your home ask your realtor. They can provide you with an unbiased opinion as to whether other items need to be cleared from the space.
As you declutter your home you may also need to rearrange some things. You want to make sure that the space in your home is well utilized and all walkways are clear. You don’t want potential buyers tripping over furniture or other items as they attempt to view your home. You want an open flow between rooms in the house.
Clean
Your home should always be deep cleaned when you are trying to sell your home. How clean your home is can make a huge difference in how appealing it is to potential buyers. If you can not afford a professional cleaning company you may need to put in some elbow grease yourself. You need to clean your home from top to bottom. You need to remove as much dirt, dust, and grime from your home as possible. Be sure to clean every surface, window, and remove all cobwebs, as well. Dollar stores offer cleaning products at low costs or you may even be able to create some DIY cleaning solutions in order to give your home a real shine.
Carpeting can be a challenge to clean. Make sure to vacuum thoroughly and try to remove spots where needed. Again, if you can not afford professional carpet cleaners you may be able to rent a carpet cleaner from your local grocery or hardware store. Additionally, some public libraries even have carpet cleaning machines you can borrow. You may want to check there before shoveling out cash to rent one.
Lighting
You may need to improve the lighting in your home. Find ways to allow as much natural light as possible to enter the home. You may even need to install some additional lighting or light fixtures in dark spaces. Sometimes just switching out a lightbulb or two for brighter bulbs can seriously improve the visibility in a room. When improving the lighting of your home don't neglect your exterior. Exterior lighting can add some serious curb appeal.
Curb Appeal
Boosting your home’s curb appeal can have a huge impact on the amount you sell your home for. The first thing you see when you come home every day is the exterior of your home. It's also the first and last thing potential buyers see when they view your home. Having an appealing exterior to your home can have buyers dreaming of how good it will feel pulling up to your home once it's theirs. Your lawn should be cut and any bushes and shrubs should be trimmed and tidy. Pull weeds from any flower beds. If you have trees make sure leaves and fallen nuts are raked up from the yard and cleaned from gutters. You also want to sweep any dirt or leaves from the porches, sidewalks, and driveways.
Final Thoughts
A properly staged home is much more appealing to potential buyers. Fortunately, you don't need to stretch your budget in order to stage your home. Check your local dollar stores and discount stores for inexpensive items that can help your home’s appeal. Adding in some new throw pillows or towels can add a fresh new feeling to your home. If you are unsure exactly what your home needs to be ready to sell Streamline Realty can help. We are here to advise you on steps you can take to make your home most appealing to buyers.
