How to Frugally Stage a
House
Staging a house is easy, right? You've seen it on TV. All
you need is $2,000, and it will be gorgeous.
I don't think so! That is not going to happen unless you
have a crew of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and
shopping experts, all working on your home- for free.
There are easy ways to stage a house, but you must by
realistic that staging doesn't always work. I don't care how
beautiful you make your home, if it is on a busy street, or
in a bad market, you may not be able to sell it unless you
drastically drop the price.
I've sold a lot of homes in neighborhoods where the
neighbors used their front lawns as parking lots for old
cars. I've sold almost all of the homes I've lived in
quickly; one within 24 hours.
Here are some real-life staging tips for those of us that
don't have either the budget, skill, or a camera crew and
team to help us.
- Make sure the exterior of your home is as nice as
possible. You can't make a sale if you can't get them in the
front door.
First impressions are important. Replace the doormat,
paint the front door, and put some flowers out for buyers to
look at while the realtor is trying to unlock the door. Keep
the lawn green and keep it mowed. If you need to turn it
green fast, there are liquid sprays that will do the job.
- Get rid of clutter. Everyone agrees on this. Your rooms
will look more spacious, and the more light you can let into
your home, the better.
As far as clutter, what is in dispute is the definition
of clutter.
Some people will tell you to take down all of your
personal pictures. I believe personal items look fine in a
home, as long as there are not too many of them.
One of the homes we sold had family pictures all along
the long entry hallway. We were told, after our home sold,
that these pictures helped sell the home. Apparently the
buyers liked the pictures, and it gave them a good feeling
about how the house suited raising a nice family.
So I guess if you've got pictures that look like they
came with the frame, they are an asset. However, if your
pictures look more like mug shoots, or are on the gothic
side, you better get them down.
You can always put extra items in a pod to get them out
of your home, but it will cost money, and if your house
doesn't sell, it is a wasted expense. It is best to keep the
garage clear, but if it is only a few items, it will save
money to just put them in the garage or attic. If you are
lucky enough to have a relative or close friend with extra
storage space, ask for help.
- Get rid of as many taste specific items in your home as
possible. No one wants to buy a "project, " unless
you are selling a "fixer-upper" at a low price.
Wallpaper is a lot of work to remove, and few people like
the same wallpaper designs. It is also a lot of work to
cover dark paint with a lighter color. Both of these things
could stop a sale. If you do decide to repaint your walls,
make them as appealing as possible by painting a color
appropriate for the room's light
orientation.
- Make sure your home is clean, and there are no
unfinished projects. Sellers and buyers see
"projects" differently. The seller may think they
are "no big deal," but the buyer gives a mental
sigh, and imagines they are going to be much more difficult
to fix.
If you are sure you are moving, minor home updates are
worth the money. Avoid putting a lot of money into upgrading
your home. You won't get it back when you sell.
- Buyers will open cupboards and drawers. Make sure
everything is neat and tidy, and the buyers will feel more
confident that you take good care of your things.
- Remove any fake flowers, which are probably dusty. Keep
your drapes and blinds open as far as possible, to let in as
much light as possible. Spend a couple dollars and invest in
one of the many types of electric air fresheners than run
24/7.
- Make each room in your home seen like a asset. You do
not want people to feel like they are paying for wasted
space. Rearrange the furniture in your home, if necessary,
while your home is on the market so that each space in your
home looks important.
Make as many "special places" in your home as
possible. If you have a window with a pretty view, put a
chair in front of it. Most people buy for emotional reasons.
You never know which part of your home will make them want
to buy it.
- Remove the pets. You will lose a lot of potential
buyers if you have pets in your home. Pets can hurt your
potential sale for a number of reasons. People are scared of
dogs, and often just want to get out of your house.
Some people feel that pets inside a house just cause too
much damage, and they don't want to feel they are buying a
pet house. All pets have accidents. They stain carpets, and
sometimes you just can't get rid of the smell.
I know it sounds insensitive to pet owners. However, pets
also have odors. You get use to them when you live with it.
- Always leave your home when you have a showing. The
buyers will not be able to relax in your home when you are
there, and they will have a difficult time visualizing your
home being their home. It is uncomfortable for everyone.
Just get in your car, and park around the corner if
necessary.
- Lay out any information about the neighborhood or house
that is informative, and shows the buyers you care about
their purchase.
When people buy items in a store, they expect the store
to stand behind the quality of their purchases. You score a
lot of points with potential buyers if you let them know
that you have taken care of your home. Let them know the
things you have done, and some of the things that will make
your home special for them.
Some of these things may be information about the local
schools, parks and other community amenities. If someone is
seriously considering buying your home, they will be glad to
see that you have kept the appliance manuals.
It is also considerate to let them know about the
landscaping. We had a map for one house we sold of the yard,
and it listed the type of fruit tree we planted, including
the variety of the fruit.
Other items of interest would be receipts for recent
updated items, like the roof or water heater, or added
drainage pipes and air vents. Buyers often want to know if
the home owner did the work, of it it was done by
professions.
Always tell the truth. Some very honest people lie when
they get desperate. Sellers fill out a fact sheet about
their home. They have to answer questions like "Is
there asbestos in the home?" Most of the sheets I've
seen are checked in the "I don't know" column.
However, if you look around at the popcorn ceiling, you can see
where someone has taken down a sample for testing.
Be honest about your utility costs. Your buyers can call
the utility company about any house that they are interested
in, and get a high a low amount on the utility bills.
Finally, don't over price your home. Most homes sell
before the listing gets stale. Look at your competition
before putting your home on the market, and be realistic.
Price it right, and hold firm on the price when you receive
an offer.
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About the Author: Nikki Willhite has been
writing and publishing articles on the Internet on
the topic of Frugal Living for over a decade.
Visit her at http://www.frugalhappyfamilies.com,
where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips
and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than
just money! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikki_Willhite
