Affordable Tips on Staging Your Home

If you want to showcase your home's best assets, impress buyers, and make a quick sale, stage your home. Although home sellers usually spend more than $3,000 using this method, you can achieve excellent results by spending far less. From KWG Real Estate, here are some affordable ways to ensure your online photos and open house events leave potential buyers salivating.

The Benefits of Staging

Staging your home can attract more viewings. If done right and buyers like what they see, there's also a chance they'll offer more than the asking price. To achieve the best results without breaking the bank, focus your attention on things like curb appeal, letting in more natural light, decluttering, and focusing on your home's best assets.

Curb Appeal

You don't have to spend a lot of money to freshen up the exterior of your home. Simple things such as a new coat of paint on the front door and new hardware, such as a knocker and handles, offer aesthetic appeal. If it looks good on the outside, you'll have more of a chance of getting buyers over the doorstep.

Other easy and affordable ways include:

• Washing the windows
• Tidying up landscaping
• Washing down hardscapes such as walkways
• Mulching your beds
• Replacing your mailbox

Decluttering Helps Presentation

Too much clutter in your home will make it difficult for buyers to see themselves living there. Here are some areas you should focus on when decluttering:

• Keep furniture to a minimum to create the illusion of more space.
• Remove any shoes, coats, or umbrellas that are cluttering the foyer.
• Take down things from the walls, such as personal photos.
• Get rid of any old newspapers and magazines by recycling them.
• Ensure all wires on computers and printers are tidied and not hanging loosely.
• Remove everything from the kitchen worktops other than essentials like a toaster.
• Spruce up the bathroom with fresh towels and soap and maybe add some flowers.
• Make sure beds are made and the floor is clear of toys, shoes, and other items.

Highlighting Features

Look into what home buyers are looking for in new homes, and highlight everything that you have in your property. If decks are popular, then have yours power washed and put out some beautiful furniture in the space. If people are looking for updated light fixtures, then add a few and highlight the feature in your property sheet and listing.

Home offices have become increasingly popular lately, so creating a workable office space can be a great selling point. Even if you don’t currently use one, stage it! Set up a functional home office using ergonomic furniture and good lighting. And include a filing drawer to showcase the organization possibilities of this office space. It’s important that potential buyers can imagine themselves using this space productively.

Decor Tips

Pay a visit to your home goods store, and you'll find many affordable items to decorate your rooms for staging purposes. Scented candles can make an area feel warm and inviting. Some of the more popular scents used when selling a home include lavender and vanilla.

Mirrors can brighten and amplify the light in a room if installed correctly. Hang them opposite windows to reflect the incoming light. Add dimmers to light fixtures to set the right mood. They will also allow you to create a diverse range of photos.

Illustrate What Your Home Has to Offer

Staging allows buyers to see your home in its very best light, whether in-person or in photographs. Simple things such as strategically placed mirrors, a fresh coat of paint on the front door, an organized home office, or a session of decluttering can illustrate what a property can offer, and all without spending a fortune.

For expert assistance buying or selling a home in the Vancouver area, contact KWG Real Estate today!

This Post Courtesy of Hannah Simpson

hannah@ablecrafty.com

Now, more than ever, people see the benefits of working from home. If you are starting a home-based business to create the schedule that fits best with your lifestyle, you may discover you need a new space. Moving to a new house while setting up a company can present unique challenges but helps set you up for long-term success. Let KWG Real Estate help you with the former! Meanwhile, here are some tips for the latter.

 Make a Business Plan

According to a study, 50% of small businesses are home-based. To ensure your endeavor gets off on the right foot, start by writing a detailed business plan. Having a thorough outline helps you identify the steps you must take to achieve your objectives. Include your goals, budgeting strategies, funding options, space needs, and anything you anticipate as future needs.

 Determine Your Funding Needs

Clearly define how much capital you require to get your business up and running. Use this startup cost calculator for a clear picture. Once you identify your monetary needs, you can look for financing opportunities. Compare many different loan options to find the best choice for your needs. Lenders are more likely to give you funding if you have a business plan with financial details. When buying a house simultaneously, you need accurate financial information for these significant expenses.

 Know the Laws

Check the local regulations for operating a company from your home. Apply for the correct licenses and permits to ensure you do not run into any issues down the road. Contact the business license office to get pertinent information.

 Separate Your Finances

Open a dedicated account for all your business transactions. Although you will live and work in the same place, do not combine personal and professional finances. Keeping your monetary dealings separate provides liability protections, makes managing taxes easier, and keeps your accounting organized. Pay yourself a salary from the business to maintain accurate bookkeeping. 

 Find the Right Space

When you look for a new house, make sure it has an office that meets your needs. Consider how your family will use the other rooms to identify possible issues with the home's layout. Ensure you have enough space to store any equipment, files, or necessary tools. If your clients are likely to visit your office, consider how they will enter, where they will park, and how easy it is to find your home. Assess the available lighting and noise in the home or neighborhood as well.

 Pass on the Fixer-Uppers

As a budding entrepreneur, you have many tasks to complete, so be thoughtful about your home-buying choices right now. While you may enjoy fixing up your home or renovating, you do not want to take on an unreasonable amount of work. Tell your local real estate agent you want a property in good condition without extensive maintenance needs.

 Plan Your Workspace

Design your office once you find the house that fits your personal and professional needs. Having a written plan for your space will help make your move smooth. Plan the layout of your business area and pack with your immediate needs in mind. You can begin operating your business right away without getting lost in a moving mess when you have a detailed strategy.

Bringing your business idea to life takes considerable work and planning. Purchasing a house that meets your family's needs and your business requirements can give you the tools for professional growth, improved job satisfaction, and long-term success.

Image via Pexels

Blog contribution by Hannah Simpson, hannah@ablecrafty.com