How do you stage a home for first-time buyers on a budget?

Home staging is the art of preparing and presenting a property for sale in a way that appeals to the widest range of potential buyers. It can make a big difference in how quickly and how much you sell your home, especially if you are targeting first-time buyers who may have high expectations and limited budgets. In this article, you will learn some tips and tricks on how to stage a home for first-time buyers on a budget, and how to highlight the features and benefits of your home that they are looking for.

1 Know your audience

The first step to successful home staging is to understand who your ideal buyers are and what they want in a home. First-time buyers are usually young professionals, couples, or small families who are looking for a starter home that is affordable, functional, and stylish. They may not have a lot of experience or time for home maintenance, repairs, or renovations, so they prefer a move-in ready home that is clean, modern, and well-maintained. They also value space, light, storage, and energy efficiency, as well as amenities and location.

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Melissa Sherlin

Principal Broker Realty ONE Group Experts Chattanooga/Cleveland/Dalton Luxury Certified
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I believe staging a home is meant to really widen the appeal to a broader audience. Although the end buyer may be first time home buyers, you should definitely consider the possibilities the end buyer could be someone looking to downsize, an investor looking for something to add to their portfolio, or even a second home. No matter the end buyer, the goal of staging should be the same and that is to really highlight the best features of the home to help cast the vision. An experienced stager knows how to take the most challenging areas of a home and transform it into a functional space. Allowing buyers to see the charm and potential that already resides in the home invites them to see themselves residing there

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2 Declutter and depersonalize

One of the most important and cost-effective ways to stage a home for first-time buyers is to declutter and depersonalize it. This means removing any excess or unnecessary items, such as furniture, accessories, books, toys, papers, or personal belongings, that may make the home look crowded, messy, or outdated. You want to create a sense of spaciousness, cleanliness, and neutrality, so that buyers can easily imagine themselves living in the home and adding their own touches. You can donate, sell, or store the items that you don't need or use, and keep only the essentials that enhance the appeal of the home.

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Kelly Murdock

Agent at Royal LePage Atlantic
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It is also an opportunity for sellers to eliminate this things they don’t want to take with them to their next home and pack the important things they do want to bring.

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Tammy Amnott

Associate Broker at Farms & Barns, RE, LLC
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So, what I have been taught about home staging is you are selling floor space and wall space so getting rid of as much as possible helps buyers see the possibility of their items in the home and makes the home seem bigger. A skilled real estate agent can make the home look inviting with a few items but still maximize the amount of floor and wall space.

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3 Update and refresh

Another way to stage a home for first-time buyers is to update and refresh it with some simple and inexpensive improvements that can make a big impact. For example, you can paint the walls in a neutral or light color, such as white, beige, or gray, that can make the rooms look larger, brighter, and more inviting. You can also replace or fix any damaged or outdated fixtures, hardware, appliances, or flooring, that may detract from the value or functionality of the home. You can also add some new or fresh elements, such as curtains, pillows, rugs, plants, or artwork, that can add some color, texture, or personality to the home.

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Porsche Ellis

Real Estate Broker *Certified Product Manager
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The home should be free of offensive odors. In most cases, neutralizing the scent in the home works best. However, during certain holidays sellers may opt for seasonal scents that may spark nostalgia in a positive way for most buyers.

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4 Highlight the features

Another way to stage a home for first-time buyers is to highlight the features and benefits of the home that they are looking for or may not notice. For example, you can emphasize the natural light by opening the curtains or blinds, cleaning the windows, and adding some mirrors or lamps. You can also showcase the storage space by organizing the closets, cabinets, shelves, and drawers, and adding some baskets or bins. You can also accentuate the energy efficiency by displaying the thermostat, insulation, or solar panels, and mentioning the utility bills or savings. You can also point out the amenities or location by creating a flyer or brochure that lists the nearby schools, shops, parks, or transportation options.

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5 Set the mood

The final way to stage a home for first-time buyers is to set the mood and create a positive and memorable impression. You want to appeal to their senses and emotions, and make them feel comfortable and welcome in the home. You can do this by adjusting the temperature, lighting, and sound to suit the season, time of day, and weather. You can also add some pleasant aromas by baking some cookies, brewing some coffee, or lighting some candles. You can also add some personal touches by setting the table, arranging some flowers, or playing some music.

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Tammy Amnott

Associate Broker at Farms & Barns, RE, LLC
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Setting the mood--I feel is an important part of the process as Pretty Sells. So, replacing old lighting with some bright LED daylight lighting helps bring a space to light (no pun intended), getting rid of collections (anything defined as 3 or more of the same thing) but keeping some things to "stage"/decorate. Remember to stage in 3s- a tall, medium and a small. Bathrooms are super fun to stage. I can't give all my secrets away. LOL

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How do you stage a home for first-time buyers on a budget?

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1 Know your audience

2 Declutter and depersonalize

3 Update and refresh

4 Highlight the features

5 Set the mood

Working with First-Time Home Buyers

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