5 Tips for Selling Your Home on a Budget by Kristin Louis

5 TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME ON A BUDGET BY KRISTIN LOUIS

While moving can be exciting, there's no doubt that selling your home comes with a lot of stress — especially if you're on a tight budget. In fact, you may think that if you don't have the money to go all out with renovations, you shouldn't bother trying to sell your house at all. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to improve your chances of selling without breaking the bank.

WORK WITH AN EXPERT

If you're on a budget, you may be tempted to avoid working with a real estate agent, but you should reconsider. While real estate agents are an upfront expense, they will likely save you money in the long run. Because they are familiar with the area, they will be able to give you a realistic idea of what your home can sell for, as well as providing you with personalized tips for increasing its desirability for potential buyers. Real estate agents can also negotiate for you to ensure you're getting the best deal on your home. Additionally, realtors have access to the MLS, or Multiple Listing Service. This database lists homes for sale all around your area, and by having a realtor list your home, you're ensuring that other realtors will see and direct their clients to it, increasing your odds of selling quickly.  

SPRUCE UP YOUR GARDEN

You may be focusing more on the interior, but having a beautiful garden out front can actually increase your home's value by up to 10 percent. Improving the look of your garden doesn't have to be expensive; rather than trying to design a whole new outdoor space, make some minor adjustments to improve what you already have. Make sure your lawn is neatly mowed and your hedges are trimmed, and remove any clutter. If you have the time, plant some bright flowers and perennials along your walkway. And if you want to get creative and make your garden look lighter and more spacious, add some mirrors to your garden walls or flower beds.  

USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE WHEN STAGING YOUR HOME

Even on a budget, staging your home is important — 77 percent of real estate agents believe staging helps buyers visualize the home as their own. While it's easy to get caught up thinking you need to rent all-new furniture and completely redo your interiors, this really isn't necessary for a well-staged home. Focus first on what you can remove — older furniture and family photos can be cleared away, and you should ensure that no bedrooms contain a television. You want your home to look inviting but impersonal, so decorate with simple, appealing artwork, display any coffee-table books you might have, and try to avoid patterned furniture.

FLOAT YOUR FURNITURE

An excellent way to make rooms look more spacious is to move your furniture away from the walls. Although it may seem counterintuitive to move furniture into the center of smaller rooms, this technique, when done well, can actually open up a room. It forces you to use the space more creatively, and can be much more visually appealing than having empty space in the center of the room.  

FOCUS ON THE DETAILS

It's all about the little things — steam your carpets, clean your grout, and remove any peeling wallpaper. Make sure your house is clean and aired out and that it smells nice. Minor visual details — like adding a vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit — are very affordable ways to make your home look more appealing to buyers. Additionally, you can make small technological upgrades that don't cost much but still make your home seem more advanced. For instance, you can add a smart thermostat or smart light bulbs for under $200. 

Selling your home may sound intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. By getting a little creative and making small investments where you need to, you can stick to your budget while making your house look truly impressive.