​6 Low Cost Staging Tips

Many consider staging to be limited to renting furniture and artwork to place in their home to help it sell.  Yes, renting furniture/artwork is one level of staging that sellers can do to prepare their home for sale.  But, I believe staging is anything that you do to help your home sell.  Below are 6 low cost staging tips that will help your home show better to buyers and ultimately maximize sales price of your home.  If you would like to discuss selling your home, please call me at (800) 477-0075 x 4 or complete this online form, click here.  Thank you! - Kevin Nakano

1. Clean & Declutter

Cleaning and decluttering inside and outside is the first type of staging you should consider to help your home show better.  If you do it yourself, it's free, it only takes your time and effort.  If you hire a professional, depending on who you hire, it can still be an inexpensive way to instantly help your home become more desirable to buyers.  Please note, the before and after pictures below are not pictures from any of my clients' homes...these pictures from my own home (staged to illustrate my point). 

2. Fresh Coat of Paint

The second type of staging you should consider is applying a fresh coat of neutral paint color on walls, trim, baseboards, crown moulding, ceiling, doors, fireplace and cabinets can do wonders to make your home more attractive to buyers.  If you want to save money, you could ask friends/family to help you paint so you'd only be out the cost of paint and equipment (and pizza and beer probably).  Or, you could save yourself time and sweat by hiring a licensed contractor.  Per an article by the Huffington Post, below are some ideas for neutral interior wall paint colors (note, you should first try paint colors on a small area to confirm you like them before you buy): Below are some before and after pictures of how paint can dramatically improve your home's appeal.

3. New Flooring

Third type of staging you should consider is new flooring.  So, new flooring may not be as cheap as cleaning and painting because homeowners typically higher a licensed contractor to install flooring, but it can have a BIG impact on buyers depending on the current condition of your floors.  And, flooring is relatively cheaper (depending on the size of your home and assuming you are installing entry level flooring) than other improvements like counter tops, cabinets, or windows.  The level of flooring you would buy would depend on the price point of your home.  Buyers of higher priced homes expect higher end flooring.  See before and after pictures of entry level carpet and vinyl floor replacement below.

4. Fixtures

Because of advances in technology and manufacturing, you can buy nice looking light/plumbing fixtures at a relatively low cost, but light/plumbing fixtures require a higher level of technical skill and expertise to install than cleaning/painting, thus requiring paying a licensed professional to install.  But, new neutral colored fixtures, like brushed nickel or antique bronze, can make a big impact on buyers adding elegance/sophistication/drama to your home.  After you've considered cleaning, painting and flooring, I would recommend you consider hiring a licensed contractor to install new fixtures where needed.  Below are some before and after pictures of fixture replacement.

5. Appliances

Because of advances in technology and manufacturing, basic appliances are much cheaper than they were 20 to 30 years ago.  So, if you have it in your budget and assuming that you completed the previous staging suggestions (when needed), new appliances will help put the cherry on top of the Sunday completing basic staging that will help attract the most buyers.  Note, the sales price of your home will dictate what level of appliances that you put in your home.  Below are some before and after pictures of replacing old appliances with new appliances.

6. Exterior

Exterior staging can include cheap fixes like removing overgrown plants, installing brown or black bark, installing flowers...most sellers can do this work themselves.  Curb appeal is important, but typically is something you should consider after the interior of your home has been addressed.  If you have the budget to hire a licensed contractor or you are willing to do it yourself, painting the exterior can help dramatically improve curb appeal if your exterior paint is outdated or weathered.  If your exterior paint is outdated or weathered, then painting the exterior becomes a higher priority if your budget allows.  Below are some before and after pictures of home exteriors.

Building Permits & Licensed Contractors

Homeowners should contact a state licensed contractor and the city/county where they reside to confirm what renovations/repairs require building permits.  Also, homeowners should contact Contractor State License Board for current information about and requirements for licensed contractors.
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