Home staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money. Staging techniques focus on improving a property’s appeal by transforming it into a welcoming, attractive product that anyone might want. Because not all sellers stage their homes, especially homes in lower price ranges, you’ll be at an advantage if you do.

Why Home Staging Is Important
Other than the amount of time and money involved, staging may be one of the most profitable projects you ever undertake. Staging helps to create a more emotional purchase that can generate more money for the seller. Potential buyers want to see themselves in the home and it’s your job to help them paint that portrait.
       Home staging is also beneficial to do because potential buyers don’t want to see work that needs to be done upon moving into the home. For every problem they see, they’ll deduct its cost from their offering price. If they see too many problems, they’ll pass altogether. You probably know that your property needs to be as clean, clutter-free and in as good repair as possible, inside and out.

DIY on a Limited Budget:
If you were looking to hire a professional stager the fees range from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on square footage and the number of rooms staged.  It can become quite pricey. If you’re on a limited budget, you can work at it yourself. It’s best to focus on ‘big-picture’ improvements and on the areas that will make the biggest difference in your home’s selling price.

First impressions are KEY!! You can follow these 8 simple techniques in as many rooms of the inside of the house as you can afford to dedicate time to.

1. Clean everything! You should have spotless appliances, floors, and rooms! Remove Odors. The smell of Cleanliness is important. Potential buyers want a “fresh” start in a new home!
2. De-clutter the home. Simplify the home to the purpose of the room. Keep your rooms organized. “A place for everything and everything in its place” is the motto to go by.
3. Depersonalize. Remove all family photos, refrigerator magnets, kids artwork, toiletries, personal items, etc. The potential buyer wants to envision their family in the home. “Buyers only know what they see, not the way it is going to be…”
4. Define Rooms. A bedroom should be a bedroom, and etc. Let the purpose of the room show. Make sure that there is appropriate furniture in every room and that it epitomizes the room’s purpose.
5. Wallpaper/Paint. Make sure paint looks smooth and wallpaper isn’t torn. It would be a good investment to make sure this looks right.
6. Flooring. Make sure hardwood floors shine, tiles should not peel, and carpet has minimal stains.
7. Lighting. Make sure all the lights work and that are bright. Make sure natural lighting is embraced in rooms.
8. Exterior. Curb appeal is important. Manicure your yard and foliage. Clean up leaves. Sweep your porches, patios, decks. Remove trash. Mow the lawn. Make your home look presentable before they step through the door.

In conclusion, the more time that you spend on minimizing and cleaning, you maximize the potential in your home… Remember that a little can go a long way! Invest some time and money into your home to make it look more like a dream and you will come out more lucrative from your dedication!!