Selling a home is not just about listing it; it’s about presenting a lifestyle that potential buyers aspire to. Home staging is the art of transforming your property into a visually appealing and desirable space, enticing prospective buyers and increasing your chances of a swift and profitable sale. If you’re wondering how to stage your home on any budget, follow these absolute best home staging tips to get started. Getting your home ready to sell is about putting yourself in the buyers shoes and thinking about what entices the eyes as they envision themselves there.
START WITH DECLUTTERING
The first step in any successful home staging process is to declutter. Remove personal items, excess furniture, and any items that may distract potential buyers. The goal is to create a clean, open, and neutral canvas that allows buyers to envision their own lives in the space. Clean out closets to capitalize on the space a buyer will need when they move in. Consider storing items in the garage (neatly) while your home is listed. If need be, renting a storage unit during the process may be a consideration.
DEPERSONALIZE YOUR SPACE
This can be very hard at times, but remember this won’t be for a long period of time and the goal is to stage the home so it sells to the next prospective buyer looking. Some displays really do showcase well, while others may be too personal. While you’re things may be beautiful and displayed in the greatest manner, this is generally not the time to show these things off or walk down memory lane with the trinkets and full photo mantels; consult your real estate agent or staging consultant for further Q & A here. By depersonalizing your home, you allow potential buyers to mentally move themselves; after-all this is the goal in listing your home for sale. Opt for neutral colors and decor that appeals to a broad audience. Although you may have remodeled 10 years ago and that style was trending then, it does not mean that is what buyers want today. For selling, neutral is better than trendy, unless it’s what the design style is today.
DEEP CLEAN YOUR HOME
A clean home is crucial when buyers are touring. Invest time in deep cleaning, from baseboards to light fixtures, fans, bathrooms, and beyond. Do not forget to clean inside of your kitchen appliances. A clean home will additionally let buyers know and feel the home has been cared for, which will rank higher on the buyers list of purchase considerations. If need be, consider hiring professional cleaners for a thorough job, ensuring your home looks and smells fresh.
FLOORING
Get your carpets cleaned by a reputable carpet cleaning business. Having your carpets cleaned professionally can make a world of difference for both the look and smell of your home. Although you may be ok with your homes scent, others can pick up on any funk that may be lurking in the flooring, especially the smell of animals when it’s not their own. If the scent of animals is too much and cleaning the carpets just doesn’t help, you may consider replacing the carpets or allotting a flooring allowance at time of closing for the buyers. If your carpet has a stubborn stain or tear, a lot of carpet cleaning companies can patch a new piece in seamlessly (check with the ones in your area for further information, pricing and options). This can save you a lot of money.
If LVT or wood floors are scratched, products like fillers are available that can be found at your local hardware store (make sure to find the color that best fits your flooring and ask an associate for more details before purchasing and using the product if need be). If your home has original hardwood floors under the carpet, let buyers know, to some clients this is even better than replacing the old tired existing carpet. A replacement may not give you the most bang for your buck in the selling process. Consult with your agent about what is the best scenario for your home.
PAINT, BASEBOARDS, REPAIRS
Address any visible wear and tear, such as cracked tiles, leaky faucets, scuffed walls and scraped baseboards. This is huge. These are the most budget friendly things you can do to get the most bang for your buck. From an agent stand point, addressing baseboards and walls that are scuffed, are not an option, it’s a must. Fresh paint is the biggest bang for your buck on any home. These repairs can significantly impact a buyer’s perception of your home’s overall maintenance and care. Check into wood filler sticks from your local hardware store as a multi purpose option for your home needs.
NUETRAL PALLETES
Neutral tones create a calming and universally appealing atmosphere. Repaint bold-colored walls in neutral shades and use accessories like throw pillows, rugs, and artwork to introduce subtle pops of color. A fresh coat of paint can make the biggest difference to making a home feel freshly updated.
CREATE INVITING LIVING SPACES
Focus on creating cozy and inviting living spaces. Arrange furniture to encourage conversation, add soft textiles like throws and pillows for a cozy feel. Strategically place mirrors to enhance natural light. Take a critical look at your furniture arrangement. Create open pathways and arrange furniture to showcase the flow of each room. Consider removing bulky pieces during the staging time to make to showcase the spacious area.
HIGHLIGHT KEY FEATURES
Draw attention to your home’s best features. Whether it’s a stunning fireplace, architectural details, or a scenic view, arrange furniture and decor to accentuate these selling points. Think to yourself, “how can I draw the buyers eyes to this spot?”
LIGHTING
Natural light can make a space feel larger and more inviting. Open curtains and blinds, clean windows thoroughly, and consider using mirrors strategically to bounce light around the room. Check all rooms lights. All lightbulbs should be working, if they’re burnt out, change them. For the best lighting in your home, marketing photos and showings (because no one likes a dark and dreary home), replace all lightbulbs throughout your home with the daylight lightbulbs.
KEEP FLAT SURFACES CLEAR
In staging your home, it is important to show off what you have to offer, especially in the kitchen. Keeping flat surfaces clear in kitchens, bathrooms, dressers, etc. This will allow a buyer to not be distracted by your things and focus on the home. Placing large counter appliances in cabinets or in the pantry is best during the listing duration. Minimal decor in the next section explains more on placement in these areas if you so choose.
DECOR
An insider tip is placing decor in layers of 2-3. Place a large, medium, small piece of decor next to one another. Place on an end table or between the books on your bookshelf for a put-together look. This compositional rule is simple enough for anyone to try and leads to professional-looking results. Try, for instance, pairing a tall vase with two smaller candles. Stack 2-3 cookbooks with an apple on top, then place them on the kitchen island or counter corner.
BELOVED PETS
This task may be tricky depending on what kind of animals you have, your work schedule and more. While they are the joy and laughter of our lives, they may not be for others. In addition, some people may be allergic to animals and may require additional cleaning for showings. Do your best to not have their belongings all over the house. Pick up any animal droppings in the yard/outdoor space from your pets, buyers want to be able to roam without discovering doggie bombs.
SCENTS
This is one that can be tricky because there are so many options and so many people like so many different scents. When staging your home, you want your home to smell nice and inviting, but not overly strong like you’re trying to hide something. Some cleaning products can be very strong and while a clean smell to a home is the best, be careful it is not overbearing. Some people are very sensitive to scents and if they start sneezing before making it across the home to view bedrooms, this can be a quick turn off for your home to become the home of their choice. Look for fresh scents of lemon and those that are crisp, light and refreshing.
CURB APPEAL
First impressions matter when it comes to staging your home. Enhance your home’s curb appeal by maintaining a well-groomed lawn, trimming bushes, and adding potted plants or flowers (these don’t have to be real, that’s ok). A welcoming exterior sets the tone for a positive viewing experience. Fresh mulch can make a big difference. Put down additional grass seed in bare areas or lay sod.
EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Check to see if you have exterior spots on your home that need some attention with maintenance. For example: exposed wood rotting, window trim with peeling paint, or any weather damaged areas. These should be addressed prior to listing. Some loan programs a prospective buyer may have, will require these items to be remediated prior to closing. Reminder, If painting any window trim (exterior or interior wise), make sure you’re not painting windows shut. It’s important they can open in case of emergency. Having these items ready to go ahead of time, will not only insure less surprises during the selling process but present your home better to a buyer.
LAST MINUTE DETAILS
Make the beds, simple. Wipe down all surfaces. Clean floors by sweeping, mop if needed and vacuum.
Staging your home is not just about making your home look pretty; it’s about creating a lifestyle that potential buyers can envision themselves living. By following these steps on how to stage your home, you’ll be ready for a successful home sale. Remember, it’s not about showing off your things, it’s about showing off your home. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to transform your home into a buyer’s dream. For any budget, staging your home can be done easily by focusing on cleaning it, maintaining it, and depersonalizing it. Using pieces around your home you already have, will be the best for staging your home on a budget.
