Cheap Chica's Guide: Home Staging on a Budget
By LILLIANA VAZQUEZ
Updated 10:51 PM EST, Wed, Sep 23, 2009
On average, staged homes sell for 7-10% over the list price so making a few inexpensive changes can result in a big return on your investment! Kate Hart, owner of Hart & Associates, gives her top ten tips for staging your home on a budget:
1. Clean- Take care of any maintenance issues inside and outside of your home. All you need is your time, your effort and some elbow grease!
2. Declutter- Pack up your personal items so you can showcase the space your home offers. In a hurry? Designate a labeled storage bin for each room and toss small items into bins before showing your home. Store the bins in the garage during showings.
3. Paint- Repaint any rooms that are an overly personal or dark color and touch up existing paint to cover any wear and tear.
4. Replace outdated light fixtures- this will instantly update the look of your space for a fraction of the cost of remodeling.
5. Remove carpet to show off hardwood floors- the floors are a selling feature, not your worn dated carpet.
6. Update an outdated kitchen by painting the cabinets and adding new hardware. Want more bling? Don’t replace large appliances. Add some small countertop appliances such as a coffee maker or toaster in stainless steel for a more updated look.
7. Add more light to your rooms by removing heavy window treatments and replacing dark lamp shades with new white shades.
8. Remove wallpaper and repaint your rooms a warm neutral color. Dated wallpaper traps your home into a specific time period. A neutral paint color makes your home feel clean and timeless.
9. Add some curb appeal by edging and mulching flower beds and add some pops of color by the entrances with some seasonal annuals.
10. Give each room a purpose- make sure every room in your home has a function and is not a storage space for extra furniture. Buyers need to see how they can use a room, not how you live in the home. a room, not how you live in the home.
First Published: Sep 23, 2009 10:11 AM EST
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