But, you're thinking, "Today's home buyers are used to seeing those picture-perfect homes on home-decorating shows. I don't have that kind of experience or cash!"
Don't let these celebrity stagers intimidate you. You can stage your own home and attract buyers, even the ones spoiled by too much HGTV! And even if your staging budget is small.
Summer is when you'll have the biggest pool of buyers. That fact works in your favor. Some of these buyers will be under pressure to make a purchase offer in time for the new school season to begin. Others want to be settled in before the end of the year and the holidays.
It's up to you to use your funds and energy in ways that pay off. Here are my top four ways to do just that.
Focus on the details
I can't stress this enough: You don't need to remodel your home. It's true that over half of homeowners say they plan to spend money improving their homes this year, but will they spend where it matters to buyers?Many of those spenders are planning to stay in their homes long term. Even though a total kitchen renovation has an average return on investment of 82%, it's not essential to every home. A major home improvement project needn't be on your to-do list.
You can't fake a remodel, but you can add budget-friendly upgrades that give your property a cared-for, contemporary appearance. That's what staging a home is all about!
Make sure your home has a summery look. It's time to replace those furry pillows with more colorful ones, possibly floral if that's your look. Bright pillows on outside chairs look perfect.
Get rid of reminders of winter's unpleasantries -- show shovels, boot racks, and scatter rugs at entrances.
Consider replacing the knobs and drawer pulls on your kitchen and bath cabinets. You can also replace the mirror in your master bathroom and update the faucets. Overhead light fixtures are another economical touch.
These simple touches will give your home the facelift you need without the pricey remodel.
Neatness counts. Start by using the tools and skills you already own to do the following:
Here are my favorite cost-effective ways to improve your exterior entryway.
Deep clean the area. Remove anything that's in the way, that hints at a maintenance problem, and anything that doesn't add to the perceived value of your property. Regularly sweep the steps, walkway, and even the door and the trim around it to get rid of dust and cobwebs. Paint the front door if necessary. I blogged about how to paint a door without removing it.
A new doormat does wonders for freshening up an entranceway. This is the kind of staging purchase that I like because it's not expensive and you use it at your next home, especially if you buy one that doesn't have a seasonal color scheme or message.
Summer is an easy time to find some colorful plants to make a home look special and loved. The larger the container you use, the better. I would rather see one giant planter than a few smaller ones. Keep it next to the door and make sure it gets watered, fertilized, deadheaded, and otherwise tended so it looks as close as possible to something the florist just delivered! Choose annuals that will bloom all summer, right up to your closing date.
Replacing those rusty exterior lights doesn't have to cost much, and spray-painting the existing ones will cost even less. Whatever you spend will go a long way to adding that cared-for look. Not only do lights outside your door make your home feel cozier but they also serve as extra security.
If you need to stage an empty property and don't have the furnishings to do it, you still have a few choices.
One is to make your move to your next home, but leave large pieces of furniture behind until closing, and add some inexpensive pieces to complete the look. These inexpensive pieces might be big box specials, garage sale finds, craigslist bargains, or things like faux beds. Sometimes, all it takes is a rearrangement of furniture, a few pieces of art on the walls, and some plants or flowers.
I understand that this approach means "moving twice," and I know that's not going to work for many of you. Some homes can still look good to home buyers when they are partially staged. Can you leave some rooms unstaged totally and do an awesome job in the important rooms -- kitchen, baths, and master bedroom? These are usually the easiest rooms to stage.
Some of us use the excuse of moving to a new home to purchase investment pieces or decorating accessories we've been craving. If you can justify the expense, this approach will make your staging more impressive.
I also suggest to sellers that they might borrow certain furnishings from friends or family. I would limit this to indestructible items like tables, side chairs, sturdy lamps, paintings, or nightstands. Nothing precious, expensive, or fragile!
Another approach is to rent the furniture that can make your home look showroom-ready. There are 28 million small businesses in the U.S. There's bound to be one near you that rents furniture. Some of them provide furniture specifically for staging. Summertime staging calls for less furniture to make rooms look cool and relaxing.
Top photo: Kerry Spears Interiors
You can't fake a remodel, but you can add budget-friendly upgrades that give your property a cared-for, contemporary appearance. That's what staging a home is all about!
Make sure your home has a summery look. It's time to replace those furry pillows with more colorful ones, possibly floral if that's your look. Bright pillows on outside chairs look perfect.
Get rid of reminders of winter's unpleasantries -- show shovels, boot racks, and scatter rugs at entrances.
Consider replacing the knobs and drawer pulls on your kitchen and bath cabinets. You can also replace the mirror in your master bathroom and update the faucets. Overhead light fixtures are another economical touch.
These simple touches will give your home the facelift you need without the pricey remodel.
 |
| Any season that allows outdoor living is a season that calls for exterior staging. Second-hand furniture with a fresh coat of paint and some new cushions will return the investment. |
Step outside
Just like a kitchen remodel, landscaping often comes with a high return on investment. But that doesn't mean you need to revamp your entire yard.Neatness counts. Start by using the tools and skills you already own to do the following:
- Keep your lawn mowed and healthy. Ask your county extension agent for advice if you have problems. They are the turf experts for your area.
- Prune any shrubs or trees in your yard that need a haircut. Just this step gives your landscape a manicured look. I have blogged about the best way to prune.
- Pull weeds or use an herbicide to get rid of weeds from the pathways, mulched areas, and anywhere else they shouldn't be growing.
- Remove any distracting yard art or small decorative items from around your building. Again, neatness.
Jazz up the exterior focal point
You want visitors on a home tour to be drawn to your front door. That's the focal point of your curb appeal and where they will form first impressions.Here are my favorite cost-effective ways to improve your exterior entryway.
Deep clean the area. Remove anything that's in the way, that hints at a maintenance problem, and anything that doesn't add to the perceived value of your property. Regularly sweep the steps, walkway, and even the door and the trim around it to get rid of dust and cobwebs. Paint the front door if necessary. I blogged about how to paint a door without removing it.
A new doormat does wonders for freshening up an entranceway. This is the kind of staging purchase that I like because it's not expensive and you use it at your next home, especially if you buy one that doesn't have a seasonal color scheme or message.
Summer is an easy time to find some colorful plants to make a home look special and loved. The larger the container you use, the better. I would rather see one giant planter than a few smaller ones. Keep it next to the door and make sure it gets watered, fertilized, deadheaded, and otherwise tended so it looks as close as possible to something the florist just delivered! Choose annuals that will bloom all summer, right up to your closing date.
Replacing those rusty exterior lights doesn't have to cost much, and spray-painting the existing ones will cost even less. Whatever you spend will go a long way to adding that cared-for look. Not only do lights outside your door make your home feel cozier but they also serve as extra security.
 |
| A front door can make a statement when it's this pretty. Imitate the look with new or painted hardware and light fixture. Photo: Atlantic Coastal Enterprises. |
Find furniture
Empty rooms don't help a home sell. Vacant, unstaged homes are less likely to sell than homes that have furniture and decor. Good home staging makes potential homebuyers envy your wonderful lifestyle.If you need to stage an empty property and don't have the furnishings to do it, you still have a few choices.
One is to make your move to your next home, but leave large pieces of furniture behind until closing, and add some inexpensive pieces to complete the look. These inexpensive pieces might be big box specials, garage sale finds, craigslist bargains, or things like faux beds. Sometimes, all it takes is a rearrangement of furniture, a few pieces of art on the walls, and some plants or flowers.
I understand that this approach means "moving twice," and I know that's not going to work for many of you. Some homes can still look good to home buyers when they are partially staged. Can you leave some rooms unstaged totally and do an awesome job in the important rooms -- kitchen, baths, and master bedroom? These are usually the easiest rooms to stage.
Some of us use the excuse of moving to a new home to purchase investment pieces or decorating accessories we've been craving. If you can justify the expense, this approach will make your staging more impressive.
I also suggest to sellers that they might borrow certain furnishings from friends or family. I would limit this to indestructible items like tables, side chairs, sturdy lamps, paintings, or nightstands. Nothing precious, expensive, or fragile!
Another approach is to rent the furniture that can make your home look showroom-ready. There are 28 million small businesses in the U.S. There's bound to be one near you that rents furniture. Some of them provide furniture specifically for staging. Summertime staging calls for less furniture to make rooms look cool and relaxing.
Get the look, get the book
You can make a home look inviting, even if you're on a budget. I show you how in my home staging eBooks. Download now and start today making your home more desirable to buyers.Top photo: Kerry Spears Interiors