How To Stage Your Home On The Cheap

Selling a home in today’s market can be tough. Sellers are picky, you’re competing against newer homes, and financing is a bear. The first step, obviously, is to entice a buyer to make a bid, without that, you’ll never get to closing. For the cost of a few hundred dollars, about the same as a pay day loan, you will be able to transform your house from a runner-up to a winner in the real estate game.

When In Doubt, Paint It

Painting is the least expensive way and dramatic way to remodel rooms for a minor investment. Today’s real estate buyers have been flooded with images of model homes on TV and in new developments. What you can expect is that most of these newer homes have a neutral color scheme, with white trim. If your home has lovely wood grained trim and cabinets, it may suit your taste, but today’s buyers want white, off-white, or beige. Paint the trim, the doors, the cabinets, and anything that looks like it could look a modern lift. This makes rooms look fresh and bigger.

Remove Clutter

Another way to make rooms look bigger is simply to remove much of the furniture or decorations. Less is better. You don’t want it to look like no one lives there, but you don’t want it to seem that you’re hosting three kids and a big dog too, even if you are. Remove items from counter tops, refrigerators, and closets. If you don’t have storage space to store these items while you’re selling, put them in a storage bin and keep there then until you move.

Keep Floors Sparkling Clean

If your carpets are stained, get them cleaned thoroughly. Better yet, if you’ve got some remodeling skills, add some new neutral colored carpet tiles or lay down a wood-looking floor. You can get some decent laminates that are click install, that will update the look of a home in no time flat. You can even get bamboo flooring pretty cheap at places like Lumberliquidators.com. If you are installing yourself, you’ll be able to avoid the cost of manual labor.

Prepare To Dazzle With Curb Appeal

The first thing prospective buyers will see is the curb of your home. Make sure it is has appropriate curb appeal. Paint any steps or fencing that looks worn. Take a pressure washer to the outside of the home and make it as sparkling clean as you can. Remove overgrown bushes, and plant flowers to entice buyers to get out of the car and come inside. Add some lighting for night visits. Keep the lawn mowed and the vegetation trimmed. Add big focal points of flowers here and there. In the end, if you can’t get them to get out of the car, you’re certainly not going to get an offer. Make that first impression count, as it may be the only chance you have of getting people to go inside too.