7 Home Staging Tips That Won't Break the Bank

Staging is one of the most effective ways to sell a home faster, at a higher price and with less hassle.

Staging your home to sell can be a daunting task, where do you start, what changes do you need to make and do you need to hire someone? All these questions swirling around in your head can be exhausting. If you have the time to invest, staging can be broken down into some easy steps and greatly improve the re-sale value of your home and reduce the time on the market.

The key to great staging is to showcase the homes good features and hide the flaws, turning weird spaces into usable spaces. Home buyers want to see themselves in the home not all the things that need to be done upon moving in. Staging can create a more emotional purchase for the buyer, which ultimately can generate more money for the seller.

1 Deep Clean

This task seems so obvious but is probably the number one thing that is over looked. No potential buyer wants to walk into a dirty bathroom or look at scuffed-up walls (and likely neither do you!). Make sure to clean every room in your house including your closets( yes many buyers will look in there) , however don't overpower your home with scented items, buyers could think your are covering up something. Instead, op in for more natural scents fresh baking, flowers or a mild essential oil.

2 De-Personalize

Depersonalizing your home is one of the most important steps in the home staging process. Give your prospective buyers a blank canvas so they can see themselves living in the house. Remove all personal decor like photos, name signs, collections, knick knacks, diplomas, etc. Also, consider removing taste-specific decor. Depersonalizing your home too far can make a house feel cold and stark, so remember to leave some neutral items that still give a feeling of comfort.

3 Move Furniture

Pull furniture pieces away from the walls to create an “island” and anchor it with an area rug. This creates a more conversational seating area and improves traffic flow. Traffic lanes should always be a minimum of 18 to 24 inches wide, and you should limit furniture as much as possible to make rooms feel larger. If you have an open-plan living room, floating furniture can help you to create different zones. For instance, you can create a boundary between the living room and the kitchen.

4 White & Neutral Linens

White and neutral not only make a space space look and feel clean but also gives rooms a spa-like ambiance. Use them in bedrooms and bathrooms. Hang white curtains in bathrooms and place white towels on the towel racks.

Cover beds with white cotton duvets and place white pillows on them – your rooms will look like hotel rooms.

5 Let in the Light

Brightening up a house can work wonders for its size and charm. Open up every window treatment and turn on all the lights -- even in daytime -- for that extra natural . To take advantage of this enlightening idea, start by scrubbing the windows, frames and screens. Next, get rid of dark window treatments and replace then with more transparent materials. Some windows may even look fine if they're left bare.

6 Go Green

Houseplants have seen a surge in the past year and a half, but their benefits are more than therapeutic. Real estate experts have revealed that houseplant staging is the secret to selling your home – and this small investment could lead to a profitable price. Plants can soften a space, creating emotions of warmth and comfort. Make sure plants look healthy, have impressive vessels and place them where it matters.

7 Stage the Outside

Outdoor areas are often easy to overlook. They might be where your clutter builds up, but they can also be helpful in given the buyer a great first impression. Solar lighting along the driveway looks welcoming, and lanterns can easily brighten darker areas in front and back. Planting or potting flowers brings a sense of security and completeness. A new doormat is a must. Remember, the first impression is usually the only one you'll be giving.

Home staging can make potential homebuyers to see your home in a new light. Start seeing it as an important part of the home selling process. Use these easy home staging tips and make buyers fall in love with your home.