Home Staging for Under $1000

Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), ASP, GRI, e-PRO

As you prepare to put your home on the market, you already understand that getting it ready for prospective buyers is an important consideration. However, it can be challenging to determine the best way to attract buyers’ interest if you are on a budget.

The idea of home staging often makes home sellers think about costly renovations and upgrades to the home. However, not all homes need such expenses to attract the attention of interested buyers. Here are some ideas for home staging for under $1000.

As you make plans to sell your home, you may find that you have a limited budget set aside for marketing your home. A REALTOR will likely recommend that you stage your home to get the best results from buyers. The benefits that home staging could potentially have on the sale price of your home are enormous. Here are a few reasons why Realtors recommend staging a home:

• Staged homes look better in internet photos. The majority of clients review online listings before they decide to contact an agent regarding a property;
• Staged homes give a better impression of what it would be like to live in the home for the buyer;
• Staging eliminates elements of a home that would likely be unattractive to buyers (such as your personal effects);
• Staged homes appear to be better maintained and demonstrate that they are being represented by a professional seller.

As a result, staged homes often perform far better in terms of the average sale price and often sell faster than homes that have not been staged.

Start with a thorough cleaning

The most significant difference that can be made to a home that is being readied for sale is to clean the house thoroughly. This means packing up personal items and placing them in storage. Scrub walls, floors, and fixtures to get rid of dust and stains. The goal is to make sure that your home looks as clean as possible. Don’t forget about areas like the attic or garage, where dust and junk can pile up. It is not okay to leave these areas cluttered.

The best part about cleaning your property is that you can get it done for little to no cost, provided that you have the time and the help that you need to clean your property. Spend at least several days cleaning your property to ensure that everything is in the best shape possible.

Let the light in

As a free tip, you might want to consider adding more light. “Open the curtains and turn on all the lights (at least while you are showing the house). Light makes a space seem bigger and less claustrophobic. It lets the space breathe!” says Pamela Cole Harris, budget decorating blogger.

Adding more light can also help show prospective buyers that you have nothing to hide. In poorly lit homes, buyers may simply assume that the home’s wiring does not allow for adequate light. The potential buyer may also believe that the seller is trying to hide something by keeping the home dimly lit.

Paint

Painting the home can do wonders to breathe new life in your home. Not only will painting cover up dirty areas, but the paint job can also help remove the evidence of your personal preferences within the home. By painting a neutral color, such as white or beige, you can appeal to as many buyers as possible by painting the walls of the home.

If you have time, you can even do the painting yourself to not have to spend money to hire someone to do it for you. Try to avoid adding decorative elements into the paint job, as they may or may not appeal to buyers.

As you paint, make sure that you don’t overlook the details, as potential buyers will notice. “Tighten any loose doors or cabinets and re-stain, paint, or varnish doors. Paint the trim on floors and ceilings. Also, paint outside trims and nicks on the house, especially where clients come into the house.” says Rhonda Burns of Windermere Real Estate, Wenatchee, Washington.

Get rid of old carpets

Getting rid of old carpets is an excellent idea, especially if there are hardwood floors underneath the carpet. Old carpet can harbor smells and stains, which can make your home seem dated or poorly maintained. By eliminating old carpets, you can open up potential buyers to a new range of possibilities for your home.

Adjust your furniture arrangement

If you are on a limited budget for your home staging, buying new furniture is probably not within your budget. Instead of purchasing new furniture, decide on a new arrangement for your furniture that leaves plenty of space so that the furniture does not crowd the room. You should also come up with an arrangement that is free-flowing and doesn’t block windows and doors. If you are working with a smaller room or too many furniture items in a space, consider picking up some of the larger items and removing them from the room.

Staging a property does not have to mean breaking the bank. If your goal is to make your home look great to buyers while spending the least amount of money possible, these tips should help get you on the right track.