Basement staging can add tremendous value to a finished or semi-finished lower level and can even help to minimize the impact of ugly and dysfunctional unfinished cellars. Enhancing the value and marketability of your home using proven home staging strategies in the basement is easy and effective. Remember that an unfinished and poorly maintained basement can be a real deal-breaker in any real estate transaction.
This guide provides simple tips of improving the desirability of any cellar space when selling a property.
Basement Staging Solutions
Finished or semi-finished basements are ready to be staged, since the construction work is already done. Depending on the layout of the rooms, basements make great opportunities for a variety of staging applications, including home offices, home gyms, home theaters, guest quarters or even family rooms. Basements with a separate entrance can be staged as professional suites or even rental apartments for added value.
Remember to follow a definite plan and design when staging basements. You want potential buyers to see and understand the implied use of the space to truly appreciate the equity added by the finished rooms.
Home Staging a Basement
If the basement is not finished, or only partially finished, there are still many ways to improve the space to make the home more desirable. Finishing the basement may not be a big project, especially if the area is framed out already or at least fully waterproofed. This can be a great DIY staging project to tackle over the course of several weekends of work. If the space is a real problem and can not be easily finished, there are still some considerations to keep in mind:
Make sure to paint old walls and concrete floors for a renewed appearance. Definitely check the condition of all electrical and utility fixtures which may be exposed, including the furnace, ducts and circuit breaker. The simplest fix is often to just add lighting. This alone can make a dark and dirty space seem much more aesthetic.
Basement Staging Suggestions
Finished basements are terrific additions to a home and can add huge value and livable square footage. Just because a level is below grade, does not mean that you should ignore it. Instead, stage your basement space to become a real asset to your home, rather than a dingy liability.
If you need to invest some money into your basement to finish it, consider staging it as a rental unit. This application will add more value than any other and can bring in buyers who would otherwise not even consider looking at the property.
For more information about staging a basement, consult with a qualified professional property stager today.