First impressions matter! What does that mean for an agent or a potential seller looking to put their home on the market? The way your home is staged is a key factor in creating a lasting first impression. The process of selling a home can be daunting, but putting in the extra effort on the presentation can help land a sale. The entire purpose of staging your listing or home before it goes live and you schedule showings, is to bring attention to the home’s strengths. How do you do this on a tight budget?
1. Housework Can’t Kill You.
Deep clean that house. From fans and crown molding to window sills and floorboards. Cleaning materials can be a little pricey, but you can find some at the dollar store for as little as $1.25. Putting in a little elbow grease will provide you with the perfect foundation for the following tips. If you don’t have the time to clean it yourself, you can consider hiring a cleaning service. Prices for professional cleaning services typically start at $25 an hour and max out at $125. It’s important that you shop around for the best deal and make sure to ask about details pertaining to each package offered.
Another big part of this step is decluttering and depersonalizing. As soon as a client or seller has decided to list, they should be working on organizing items to be sold, donated, thrown out, or kept. I can’t tell you how many times I have shown up to a listing shoot appointment and had sellers frantically running bins into the garage, which was then locked and sealed. “Do we have to take pictures of the garage?”, is a common question that could be avoided with a little preparation.
2. I can see tiny hand prints. Paint your walls.
This step is particularly important for sellers with small children. Sometimes we get so caught up in our fast-paced schedules and routines that the details are lost on us. Like tiny fingerprints, stickers that were half peeled off of walls, or simply the average wear and tear that a home experiences over the years. No judgment here! But there might be some coming from the eyes of a potential buyer who spots your kid's tiny penciled dinosaur on the wall of your guest bathroom. A fresh coat of paint, or even just a touch-up, will brighten up any space.
3. A listing with no accessories? How dreadful.
Not everyone has the funds to go full blast at home goods, or even Target, when it comes to staging. Have you seen the gas prices? No worries. There are tricks, friend. Starting with accepting that there is no shame in picking up pieces from thrift shops and discount stores. My favorite tip: LOCATION. If you want to get a bang for your buck, it’s best to hit up the thrift stores in the high end of town. Some great locations are Sunshine Thrift in South Tampa, Salvation Army in Wesley Chapel, and Goodwill in Trinity. You will be shocked at the steals you find.
Regardless of what your budget looks like, there are reasonable ways to give your home a facelift. First impressions are lasting and can land buyers from the moment they step into your home. Taking a little extra time to clean, paint, and add a few extra accessories can really help accent all your home’s qualities while pulling attention away from the weak points. You’ve got this!
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