Home staging doesn't have to cost a fortune. There are plenty of simple DIY changes you can make to prepare your home for potential buyers while sticking to your budget. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
Prepare your closets to show off to potential buyers. Closets are a huge selling point and the tidier you can make them, the better impression you'll make. Try removing half of everything in each closet to highlight the amount of usable space. Another great way to enhance your closets is to swap out plastic hangers for ones made of wood or metal. Clear the floor space or utilize smart modular shoe storage to show off the possibilities to potential buyers.
One of the most important things to remember when staging your home is to de-personalize. You want potential buyers to imagine themselves living in the space, and that's more difficult to do when distracted by personal photos or hobby-related decor. Anything personally identifying should be stowed away, but you don't have to remove everything. Keep the more neutral decorative pieces like framed nature photography or artwork to add interest to the space without causing distraction.
Getting rid of general household clutter should be the first step in your staging journey. However, you can take it further by applying it to your furniture and larger decorative items as well as small belongings. Examine each room in your home and find at least one furniture piece you can remove to make more space. Unless you already have an extremely minimalist design style, you should be able to create the illusion of more square footage for free just by moving furniture.
These are just a few ways you can DIY your home staging. While working with a professional stager is still an excellent idea for any home seller, these strategies will get you started and save you money.
Kim Clark started her real estate career in 1999 and shortly thereafter obtained her Broker’s license in 2002. After working for larger, corporate offices, she realized that her business and clients needed a more personalized and flexible firm. She founded Bayside Realty Consultants in 2007 offering a space of unity, collaboration and encouragement for agents and their clients. Kim specializes in the unique Cape Cod market comprised of primary, vacation and investment properties.
She says "It is great to be a part of helping make a homeowner's dreams come true". Clients and their individual needs can make things very exciting! Kimberly's enthusiasm is contagious and it has been a real asset in her successful career. She says, "Never quit. Just do what you like and the rest just falls into place." She is certified in several real estate designations including GRI, CBR, CRS, e-Certified, and a certified trainer.
