Staging Your Home on a Budget
Pack up, Clean up and Pick up. (Price: Free)
Pack up your personal items, photos along with all but essential clothing. The less you have cluttering rooms, closets and and storage space, the larger that space will appear.
Remove accessories, rugs, plants and miscellaneous clutter from all rooms. Leave space for a buyer to imagine filling with his/her own furniture.
Finally, clean, clean and then clean some more! If it means taking the toothbrush and a q-tip where the toilet meets the tile, the baseboards, the faucets then do it. Don't forget to clean or power wash the outside of your home as well. Clean up toys, weeds, and debris.
Lighten up. (Price: Free)
Open the curtains and turn on all the lights. Light makes a space seem bigger and less claustrophobic. Let the space breathe. Having less furniture and clutter also makes a room feel lighter.
Patch up. (Price: Under $10)
Repair all cracks, holes, and dings with caulk and spackle. Buyers will only see neglect if these tasks are left undone. Go through the home with a friend and ask them to point out any problem areas. Be sure to pick a friend that will not spare your feelings, but will be totally honest. They will notice things that you won't, simply because you see it every day and tend to overlook problems. Remember, if your friend notices a problem area, your buyers will too!
Cover up. (Price for Oops paint: $5 a gallon)
Cover up the walls with neutral paint. Neutral does NOT mean just beige. Paint the walls in an earthtone shade. You can find paint that was not quite the right color for the buyer at your home improvement store. It's usually called "ooops" paint. Look there first before spending money on paint. Another person's "not quite perfect" could be your "just right".
Draw up. (Price: Free)
Before you move the furniture back into rooms, draw a graph to figure out where to place items to take advantage of at least one focal point. If there is no architectural focal point, create one with a piece of furniture or art. Be sure to move the furniture away from the walls. Ensure that buyers have a clear path to wonder through your home. No furniture or miscellaneous "stuff" should block access to walking lanes. Stage furniture with easy conversation areas and plenty of light nearby.
Staging your home may not guarantee your home will sell, but taking these steps will increase the chances buyers will have a positive impression of your home. That means staging your home is the best investment you can make.
The Gateway Mall 1353 North Galleria Dr., Nampa, ID | 208-461-5575
