The Art of Staging Your Home Using What You Own
In the world of home staging, occupied staging is a common practice for sellers with limited budgets, where stagers transform spaces using existing items and a few additional accessories.
While it may not be ideal in a hot market, there are opportunities for stagers to work wonders without overspending.
Staging a home creatively with existing items is a specialized art form that some stagers excel in.
A Few Keys to Staging Your Home on a Budget:
Staging can mean different things to different people. Some homeowners think they need to redo their entire home before listing, but that’s usually only necessary if, for example, your kitchen is extremely outdated. Your best resource on what you must do is your real estate stager.
1. Clean and Declutter (edit) Your Home
Just by cleaning and decluttering your home, you are already making great strides to present your home in a more inviting and attractive manner.
2. Clear Flat Surfaces
Clearing the flat surfaces in your home is a great way to decrease clutter and make rooms appear larger. Pay extra attention to shelves, countertops, tables and desks where items are prone to accumulation.
This is where I see a lot of realtors go wrong. The homeowners do the “mother-in-law tidy” and this leaves the home emotionless. Stagers are experts in this area.
3. Remove Personal Items
Removing personal items is crucial in home staging to help potential buyers envision themselves in the space.
Make sure to pack away any deer heads, family photos, and trophies to create a neutral and inviting environment for buyers.
4. Choose Neutral Colors
Consider updating walls painted in bright colors to a neutral color for a more appealing look to potential buyers. Neutral paint jobs are a cost-effective home staging option that can provide a high return on investment.
5. Replace Lightbulbs Throughout Your Home
Replace all the lightbulbs in your home with bulbs of the same temperature.
6. Landscape Your Flower Beds
Replace your doormat from “Welcome Home” to “Home”, buyers won’t feel like guests.
Add a few pots with flowers.
Potential buyers will enjoy the polished look of a well manicured entryway into a home. A few welcoming touches in the foyer, like a small wreath, a mirror and a bench can put buyers at ease as they enter your home.
7. Give Your Bathrooms a Cheap Face-Lift
Updating your bathroom doesn’t have to cost an outrageous amount. Simply find updated faucets and fixtures at your local hardware store or discount chain. Also, consider purchasing cheap WHITE shower curtains and liners to give each bathroom a new and fresh appeal. Always leave shower curtain open -buyers will open it!
When you are selling, this is where a proffessional is needed to rearrange, change out and refresh the home to let it shine.
