Home Staging: 7 Cost-effective Ideas for Maximizing Impact

Selling a house takes a lot of work, especially in Australia. Some homes sell relatively fast, while others take months to sell. So, what’s the secret? Is there a way to speed up the selling process?

Usually, the secret lies in home staging, a process of making your home look more desirable to potential buyers.

Home staging can be necessary if you’re looking to sell fast or attract more buyers. However, if you’re a newbie and inexperienced, home staging can be a pretty expensive feat. But if you do a bit of research and handle things smartly, the staging process can be pretty cost-effective.

To help you stage your home and maximize the impact, we decided to gather a list of X cost-effective home staging ideas.

1. Seek professional advice

Before you jump the staging gun, seeking professional advice would be a good idea. We’re talking about selling homes, and there’s no one better to consult than a professional real estate agency. Find reliable real estate agents in Mooloolaba and consult with them about any potential doubts you may have. 

Real estate agents know exactly how staging can impact buyers and can also advise you on how to stage the house properly.

2. Declutter and remove any personal items

The real estate agent you hire may tell you that the only thing you should do is declutter and remove your personal items. Sometimes this is enough.

By removing all personal items and decluttering, buyers can imagine themselves living in that house. And that’s the main goal in the house viewing process.

People who come to see the house may not have a family so it might be difficult for them to envision living in a house full of family photos.

3. Clean and refresh your house with paint

It goes without saying that your house should be clean and organized during the house viewing days. So, make sure you do the vacuuming, dusting, and scrubbing in all the rooms of your house.

In some cases, if you want to make sure that the house is extra clean, you can give it a fresh coat of paint. Painting the house won’t break your budget and it will completely transform it. Especially if you decide to brighten your walls with light and neutral colors.

If you’re looking for cost-effective ways to improve your home, then paint is the right choice.

4. Clearly define the rooms and get rid of dated decor

Another great staging tip is to define the rooms in the house. This means that every room should have a purpose and be clearly defined, just like the space within the room should also be defined.

So, if you have a finished attic and basement, don’t live them empty. Instead, turn them into an office, entertainment room, or guest bedroom. By doing this, you’re showing the buyers how they can maximize the square footage.

In addition to defining your rooms and spaces, it would be a good idea to get rid of any outdated things and decor. Minimalistic, not overly flashy decore is fine, but anything else should go.

5. Pay attention to flooring

Dirty carpets, rugs, or outdated flooring materials won’t do your home any justice. Replacing old, cheap flooring may be an investment but it will pay off. 

Hardwood flooring would be ideal as it’s easy to maintain, durable, and elegant. Plus, it adds quite a bit of value to your home.

If hardwood flooring is out of your price range, consider investing in new flooring materials such as laminate, engineered wood, or luxury vinyl. All these flooring options are pretty good and cost-effective.

6. Lighting 

Buyers love seeing bright homes. To ensure that your house is bright enough, make sure you take advantage of your home’s natural light. This means opening blinds and curtains to let the light in. 

Adding or changing lighting fixtures where necessary will also help a lot. During the house viewing turn on all the lights in the house so that the house appears bright and inviting to buyers.

7. The home exterior also matters

The exterior of your house is also an important aspect when it comes to selling the house. It is the first thing buyer will see, so it’s important to give it a little facelift as well.

The exterior and front entry, as well as the curb appeal, can sometimes make or break the deal, so do what you can to improve your chances of selling the house. 

What you can do is clean the exterior, wash the windows, and clean the front door. Simply make sure that your home’s exterior is clean.

Then, mow the lawn, de-weed the front yard, trim the hedges, and add flower beds. All this will ensure that your house is clean and inviting.

Conclusion

Home staging doesn’t have to be expensive to maximize the impact. As you can see, just a couple of small changes can make a difference. Do whatever you can to emphasize your home’s best features without breaking the bank.