Tricks to Stage Your Home for Less

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LRE+STOCK+PHOTO+(55)If you’re ready to put your home on the market, you already know that how it looks can make a significant difference in the sales price, or how long it sits on the market. Even if you’re on a budget, there are still some changes you can make which will create a big impact.

  • Declutter!!! Pack up extra “everything.” Remove anything you don’t absolutely need from every room, closet, cabinet, and countertop. You want buyers to be able to see the house, not just your things. Besides, you’re moving anyway, so why not go ahead and start packing?
  • Clean! This is a super-cheap way to keep from turning away potential buyers. Make sure showers, tubs, sinks, toilets and faucets are free from mildew and hard-water stains. Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters, drawers, shelves, and cabinet doors. This is a good time to deep-clean appliances too. Dust and vacuum – this is a big deal to buyers with allergies! Don’t forget about outside too – Curb appeal is key! Keep weeds under control and trim any trees or shrubs that have become overgrown.
  • Fresh paint in a light neutral color will help make your space look larger and clean. Painting the whole house may be overwhelming, but maybe one or two rooms as you first walk in the door so that buyers have a good first impression.
  • Rearrange furniture if necessary. Make sure furniture is not keeping doors from opening all the way or making for an awkward pathway through the house. If your beautiful 5-piece bedroom set blocks the only window you have in your room, and keeps you from being able to open the door all the way, it needs to scaled back. Remember, buyers are purchasing a home, not your furniture.

The key to staging is edit, edit, edit. These inexpensive projects will help your home show better in person, as well as in listing photos. Don’t turn off buyers before they even get to your house! A small investment in a few storage tubs filled with books, off-season clothes, pictures and anything unnecessary will go a long way and is very inexpensive.