It’s a common dilemma among sellers: Staging your home can increase its value, but you don’t want to spend a small fortune on a professional stager.
Good news! It’s possible to prepare your home for showings for a fraction of the cost of a staging company—and still sell it for top dollar. Following are some home staging tips that may impress prospective buyers without breaking the bank.
Clear the clutter.
Potential buyers want to feel at home in your home, which can be difficult to do if they’re surrounded by your family photos. Fortunately, it doesn’t cost a thing to box up your belongings and stash them in the garage. If you don’t have room to store your personal items, ask a friend or relative if they can spare some space or rent an inexpensive storage unit.
Unstuff your closets.
Unfortunately, very little is off limits during showings, which means prospective buyers may peek inside your drawers and closets. And overflowing spaces might make them worry that your home lacks sufficient storage. Just to be safe, empty your closets of seasonal items and outdated clothing to give the illusion of additional space.
Paint an accent wall.
Neutral spaces typically work best when showing a home, but you can breathe new life into your space and highlight appealing architectural features by adding an accent wall. Just one quart of paint can set your home apart from other resales without draining your budget! Explore Sherwin-Williams paint colors.
Beautify your bathrooms.
If you don’t have the funds to remodel your outdated bathrooms, focus on the small, simple changes you can afford. For instance, paint the cabinets (remember to keep it neutral!), replace old hardware and trade in your plastic shower curtains for inexpensive yet elegant cloth ones.
Set the scene.
Paint a picture for prospective buyers by creating thoughtful vignettes throughout your home. Show them what everyday life could be like by setting the dining room table, tossing a colorful throw on the sofa and placing a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen island. If you need a few additional furniture pieces to tell your story, borrow them from friends or relatives or shop at thrift stores and garage sales.
Send your dog to daycare.
Sadly, not everyone loves dogs (or cats or ferrets) like you do. And a barking pup can be a big deterrent to some house hunters. Arrange to bring your beloved pet(s) to a family member, friend or sitter during showings.
Keep following our blog for tips and tricks for selling your home and visit RichmondAmerican.com when you are ready to make a move!