Staging on a Budget: Special Touches

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Real estate pros offer their best, most affordable staging ideas for home exteriors.

Create a DVD of the Home
"Have the sellers make a short DVD of fun times that they had in the home and surrounding area. Make the DVD run on a loop on the TV and use it to show potential buyers the area, neighborhood amenities, proximity to parks museums, etc. It is easy and cost effective." -Scott Holland, Top100AZhomes.com, Phoenix

Frame a Local Scene
"Frame pictures from inexpensive calendars and place them throughout the home. Look for pictures that reflect nature and themes for the local area. We don't want buyers to wish they were in Aruba while looking at a home in snowy Michigan!"- Jannel Lee Allen, Keller Williams Realty, Livonia, Mich.

Showcase Designer Bags
"I stagger colorful, logo, designer, retail bags in different sizes and shapes and place them on the shelves in the walk-in closets in the master bedroom, linen closet as well as other closets. It creates a fun visual and people think it is unique and clever. Plus, it is basically free. You just tell the stores that you are staging your seller's home and would love to advertise their company with their bags. They love the idea of getting free publicity. I put crumpled up tissue in the bag to give them body. I use bags from Neiman Marcus, Coldwater Creek, Chico's, Crate & Barrel, Pier 1, St. John, Coach, Victoria Secret, and Nordstrom. Also, since the bags can lie flat, the storage factor is very efficient."- Robyn Starr Dezendorf, Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere, Portland, Ore.

Customize the Art
"Buy a couple of iron easels and place them in different rooms. On the easel, place a mirror or framed art that complements the colors of the walls or floors. Or, prepare a large poster with photos and additional information about the house. This is inexpensive, yet provides a focal point of interest in the room."- Trina Griffith, Summers Real Estate Group, Longview, Texas

Redo the Doghouse
"Freshen and consolidate pet areas. Purchase new bowls, etc., to indicate upkeep and freshness. Choose one place to house pet beds and litter boxes; the laundry or utility rooms or garage space may be appropriate."- Mae Thompson, Prudential One Realty Centre, Edwardsville, Ill.

Write a Letter
"Part of staging is conveying the pleasures of living in the marketed home. I have sellers write a one-page letter to the prospective buyers detailing less evident benefits, such as the annual Easter egg hunt at the end of the cul-de-sac, the amazing sunrise from the breakfast nook window, and the fact that the school bus stops at the corner. I copy these on pretty paper and put them at the front of the property profile book on the kitchen counter."- Cari Pemberton, Buy, Sell, Organize and Stage, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Make It Memorable
"I have two things that I do when staging a home. First, a wreath on the front door (that I make). The wreath stays with the house for the new owners. Second, I hang a black nightgown on the master bathroom door. The buyer (husband) always remembers that house!"- Cissy Snyder, Svetlik Real Estate, Sumter, S.C.

Published: March 2009 REALTOR magazine

Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.