5 Tips for Staging Your Garage When Selling
As you prepare to sell your home, staging can be the difference between a quick, painless sale and months languishing on the market.
Staging isn’t about increasing your price point: many sellers spend around $1,500 to $2,000 to increase their home’s appeal to buyers. You can save money by doing the labor yourself. But if time is of the essence, you can consult with a home staging professional for a helping hand.
But many people don’t realize staging your garage is just as important as the rest of the house.
The garage is much more than a place to park your car: 32% of buyers consider it one of the most important rooms in their home according to a recent realtor.com survey. A tidy and inviting garage tells buyers that you took excellent care of your home, and they won’t need to do much to fix it in the way of storage and organization.
With that in mind, transform your garage from unkempt to unforgettable with these simple cleaning and organizing tips.
Step 1: Clear It Out and Get Rid of Excess Clutter
The first step to taking back your garage is to clear everything out and decide what can go. Create different piles for donate, recycle, throw away and pack for the move; it will make your life easier once it comes time to pack up the rest of the house too.
Be sure when you are cleaning that you dispose of trash safely. If you need help, you can enlist professional services to come to your home and properly dispose of everything once you have sorted it out.
Step 2: Clean, Repaint and Scrub Out Stains and Scuffs
Before you put away all of your boxes and tools, take some time to clean your garage from top to bottom. Dust off the floors and clear any cobwebs or other trash. Lift oil stains out of the floor overnight with paint thinner and saw dust, cat litter or other absorbent material.
A new coat of neutral, non-white paint and a bit of elbow grease can take your garage from purely functional to aesthetically pleasing. Remember, prospective buyers look at your garage the same way they do any other room in the house so you don’t want to skimp on making it feel fresh and inviting.
Step 3: Flooring Options to Wow Buyers
If stains on your garage floor are beyond repair, consider painting, staining or installing a new floor to really go the extra mile. Concrete stain and grid-loc tiles are less expensive than you may think, and the extra effort is well worth the results.
If your garage includes your washer and dryer, consider placing different flooring in that area to give it a feeling of separation from the rest of the room. Even a quick layer of paint on the floor in neutral colors like gray or green can make your garage feel more inviting.
Step 4: Maximize Space with Wall Hangers and Storage Systems
The best way to free up space and give a sense of order to a garage is through storage systems. Instead of stacking boxes in a corner, purchase a ceiling storage rack and a set of large, matching plastic tubs.
Need a place for your mop, brooms and other cleaning supplies? A vertical storage rack or pegboard works wonders for cleaning supplies and tools alike.
While you’re at it, make sure that lighting is adequate and try hanging a few pictures or other decorations in the garage. You may not spend a lot of time in there, but prospective buyers will appreciate the extra effort.
Step 5: The Icing on the Cake: The Garage Door
The garage door is the most visible and functional part of the room. A new door can increase the garage curb appeal and seal the deal on your freshly cleaned garage.
If a new door is not in your budget, add a fresh coat of paint and be sure that the door is functioning properly. A little oil on that squeaky chain means buyers won’t be thinking about potential repairs down the road.
Your garage may not seem as important as your bathrooms or kitchen, but a little bit of staging and cleaning could make a big difference when selling your home. Besides, what are a few days of work against a few extra months on the market?
Are you considering selling your home? Call/text me at 760-574-8486 for more tips before you list your house for sale.
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