Packing boxes, transporting furniture, and putting down deposits—moving means new expenses. Though these costs can inconvenience sellers and buyers alike, you can still save money during the process. With these ways to stage a home for free, you’ll be looking at a successful sale in no time—and you’ll spend less money preparing for it.
- Tidy from top to bottom. It’s time to bust out the cleaning supplies! Scrubbing tubs, mopping floors, and vacuuming carpets—you need to make your home look its best. Nobody wants to buy a messy house! Additionally, if you must focus the most energy on one specific area, choose the kitchen, as it’s one of the biggest draws for potential buyers.
- Get rid of unwanted items. Go through your home with three categories in mind: items you will keep, items you will trash, and items you will donate. Because you’ll be moving anyways, this step will also help when it comes time to pack up your place. Make sure to get a donation receipt for what you donate—this can save you money on your taxes.
- Do some rearranging. Enlist the stronger members of your household to do some rearranging. By keeping furniture closer to the walls, for instance, your space will look bigger. Rugs can also help to make floor space look wider. If you have excess furniture in storage or in the attic, as you complete the step above, consider which items will make your home appear to be more appealing. That way, you use what you have—and you can continue to try out ways to stage a home for free.
- Open up the curtains. Holding open houses during the day? Pry open the curtains, and you’ll notice an instant change. With natural light, your home will look brighter and more welcoming.
- Store away personal items. The presence of personal items can mean the difference between a sale and a stalemate. This makes awards, pictures, and other items that depict current residents as persona non grata. After all, when you’re trying to imagine yourself living in a different home, reminders of another family can disrupt your mental picture. Plus, this method is completely free!
- Conduct some research—and display the results. A few common questions that buyers will ask include information about the HOA, amenities that your neighborhood has, specifics about the school district, and more. Consider creating—and printing—a professional-looking but brief document with answers to these questions. Then, hand it out or leave it accessible when potential buyers tour.
When you put your home on the market, you’re not saying goodbye to all the happy memories you had there. Instead, you’re setting the stage for other people to love your place just as much as you have. Thankfully, helping them visualize their new life is easy—and affordable—with our ways to stage a home for free.
If you’re ready to start buying or selling in the Auburn, Lake Martin, or Opelika area, fill out our contact form here. In the process of preparing to enter the real estate market? Whether you want to find out more about properties or how to put them on the market, visit our blog here.