Staging a home on a budget

So, you want to sell your home, but you don’t have thousands of dollars to bring in brand new furniture to stage it.

I’m not going to tell you that staging isn’t important, because it is. But despite what you may see on television, you may not be in such a bad position.

It’s been my experience that many buyers prefer to see the home empty. When the house has no furniture there are no unseen imperfections in the walls and floors, which can be easily hidden by a carefully placed rug or end table.

But there are times when you can’t move until you sell your home, and the question becomes one of how to effectively stage a home with the furniture you have on hand.

There are ways to make a huge difference while spending very little money.

Here are a few tips:
Declutter your rooms: The key is to make sure that you clear up as much floor and wall space as possible. Clear floors and walls will make rooms look bigger. Don’t try to fill your closets with the stuff you cleared from the rooms either, potential buyers want closet space. Instead, rent a storage unit for a few months.

Invest in storage shelving: This will make rooms feel well-organized and neat. In addition, it will also allow a buyer to see the value of your storage space. By doing this, you visually increase the square footage of your home.

Cleanliness: You have likely been living in your home for years and may have become to blind to some stains and dust that other people will see. Hire professional cleaners.

Fix it before you forget it: Repair anything cracked, broken, or improperly working, like dripping faucets or blinds that don’t open.

Paint: While painting the whole interior is usually the best option, a less expensive alternative is to repaint high traffic areas. Choose a neutral light-enhancing color scheme. Focus on common areas like the kitchen or the living room where people seem to spend the most time.

Curb appeal: Imagine you are stepping out of your car and seeing your home for the first time. It’s a lasting impression. Buyers form their opinions about the value of your home based on the condition you have kept it. Whether you have a lawn or desert landscape, make sure it is neatly trimmed. Take care of any discolored areas on the façade of your home.

Staging is important, but at the same time, you shouldn’t feel that the inability to purchase new furniture is a setback. If you take care of your home and get rid of the clutter, potential buyers will be able to easily picture themselves in your home.

Dayv Morgan is a Maricopa Realtor and owner of HomeSmart Success.

480-251-4231
[email protected]
MaricopaHomeSmart.com

This sponsored content was first published in the February edition of InMaricopa magazine.