When you’re selling your house, you want to make it as appealing as possible to potential home buyers. While you might think it takes a lotof money and extensive changes in order to stage a home correctly, you may be surprised to hear there are some simple ways to stage your home without breaking the bank.

Curb Appeal is Important

The first thing a potential home buyer will see when they visit your house is the property. The inside of your house could look amazing but if the house isn’t appealing when they pull in the driveway, you might lose the sale.

Pick up toys and remove decorative lawn ornaments that may not appeal to everyone. You might love your pink flamingo collection on the front lawn, but this is a good time to pack them away for the coming move. Look at your yard with a critical eye and remove anything that could be considered clutter. This process doesn’t cost a single dime, and if you get everyone in the householdinvolved, it need not take a lot of time.

Mow the lawn and make sure the flowerbeds are in good condition. Consider putting down fresh mulch or bedding chips to add new life to the area. A low cost way to add vibrant color to the outside area is by planting inexpensive plants and flowers. Alternately, you may want to add a small potted plant to the front porch.

Kitchens Sell a House

One of the most important parts of any house is the kitchen. You want to highlight the positives when it comes to your kitchen, and this doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Start by doing a deep cleaning that reaches places that are normally neglected. Clean the top and under the cabinets. Make sure any tile is clean and in good shape. Wipe down the inside of drawers, cabinets, and pantries.

Take some time to organize your food pantry, cabinets, and drawers. This is a small thing that can create a lasting, positive impression. Remove magnets and photos from the front of the refrigerator.

Put away themed items. You may have spent 15 years building your pig collection, but a potential home buyer may not find that appealing. You want them to see themselves in that space. Removing your personal items helps with this process.

Use neutral colored towels. Have plenty of clean sponges on hand, and don’t leave them sitting on the edge of the sink. Place a bowl of fruit or some fresh flowers on the counter. This doesn’t have to be extravagant. Replace light bulbs to make sure everything is bright and cheerful. Clean the windows and clear any obstructions from in front of the windows.

Don’t Ignore the Bathrooms

We spend a lot of time in the bathrooms of our houses, and there are some simple things you can do to make sure these rooms are just as appealing as any of the others in your house. Remove any hampers or large trashcans. They can make the room seem smaller and cause an unpleasant odor. Replace large trashcans with small ones that can be emptied often. Replace the shower curtain. Make sure any shower doors and tracks are clean and in good order.

Clean under soap dishes.
Put away shampoo and body wash bottles. Keep the counters free of clutter and makeup trays. Keep a full bottle of hand soap near the sink. Place clean hand towels out and let your household know they are off limits during the house showing period. It’s inexpensive to replace the toilet seat. Doing so adds a newness to any bathroom.

Clean Out Your Closets

It happens during the process of everyday living. Closets get filled with everything that doesn’t seem to have a place anywhere else. Check your closets and you are likely to find everything from old shoes to clothing you haven’t worn in years. Clean out your closets and donate any useful items.
Remove shoes from the floors of closets, as this can make things look cluttered. Organize clothing by color or style to create an appealing, neat looking closet. You may want to replace old, worn hangers with hangers that match. This is a small cost that could make a big impact.