A basement can be a clean slate or beautifully staged - either way, there are a few things you should think about!
Decluttering and staging your basement is an important step when preparing to sell your home. A cluttered basement can make the space feel smaller and less appealing to potential buyers. Here are some tips for decluttering your basement:
1. Designate 1 storage space:
Before you start decluttering, decide where your designated storage place will be. We recommend the garage or storage locker. This way, you can pre-pack personal items and put them in one place and the buyers won’t be overwhelmed.
2. Divide and conquer:
Instead of trying to tackle the entire basement at once, divide it into smaller sections. This could be by area (e.g. storage shelves, workbench, etc.) or by item type (e.g. tools, holiday decorations, etc.). This will make the task feel more manageable and help you see progress as you go.
3. Make piles:
As you go through each section, create four piles: keep, pre-pack, donate, and trash. Be honest with yourself about what you really need and use. If you haven’t used or looked at an item in over a year, it’s probably safe to say you can get rid of it.
4. Don't get sentimental:
It’s natural to feel attached to certain items, especially if they hold sentimental value. However, try to let go of the idea that you need to keep everything just because it has meaning to you. Instead, consider taking a photo of the item and getting rid of the physical object. This way, you can still have the memory without taking up physical space.
For the personal items you are keeping, these are best to pre-pack.
5. Minimal staging:
Use furniture and decor to create the illusion of more space. For example, you can use mirrors to reflect light and make the basement feel bigger, or use area rugs to define separate spaces within the room. Smaller furniture also helps make the area look bigger.
If you choose to keep furniture and accessories in your basement while your home is for sale, minimal is the name of the game here.
6. Mechanical rooms and storage:
Even though you don’t go in your mechanical rooms or storage rooms all that often, buyers will. Ensure your mechanical room is clear and easy to navigate.
Less is more in storage spaces so ensure all storage rooms are tidy with all excess or pre-packed items moved into your 1 designated storage space.
Your basement is officially photo-ready!
You simply can't pay someone to care more than you do about your home sale
Many studies have been done on why people sell for more when they sell themselves.
Ultimately, it comes down to homeowners being more willing to negotiate the few thousand dollars because it is dramatically more money in your pocket than in the realtor’s pocket.
Now that Bōde arms you with the same or better data than what an agent has and all the tools to ensure you have a streamlined process, what is not to love?
Time to put that money back where it belongs… in your bank account.
Real examples of Bōde sellers' success
