What not to do when staging your home is just as important as pricing your home correctly. There is no denying that today’s real estate market is competitive to say the least. Staging is a critical step in the home selling process and can help your home stand out in listing photos and appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. A well-staged home will mask years of wear and tear and can help it sell faster and for more money!
Some of the simplest mistakes can be a deal breaker for potential home buyers and that’s why I’m about to share some of the biggest staging mistakes I’ve seen over the course of my real estate career.
Don’t Assume Cleaning is The Same as Staging
Often times, sellers think that cleaning and doing a little organizing is the same as staging. I am here to tell you that it is NOT. Staging is actually merchandising a home to appeal to potential buyers. A properly staged home focuses on the best features of the home and deemphasizes the flaws. It’s actually an art form where emotional connection points are created throughout the home to give the buyer a glimpse of what their life could be like if they were to purchase your home. Artwork, accessories, plants, luxurious soft goods and candles can help buyers envision enjoying family get-togethers in your home.
Don’t Neglect Simple Home Improvements
Areas that require attention and are pretty inexpensive to fix are definitely worth going the extra mile to repair. For instance, minimum improvements to consider making before selling your home include patching holes and cracks in the walls and ceilings and fixing broken appliances and HVAC systems. Repair leaky faucets. Replace broken window glass and repair the roof if necessary. Change any dated light fixtures or ceiling fans. Updating the wall, cabinet and trim paint colors will take decades off the look of a home. The value these repairs will bring to your home will outweigh the cost of completing them.
Don’t Push Furniture Against the Walls
It’s almost instinctual to push furniture against the walls to make the room look bigger. However, the truth is that often, this can actually make the room look smaller. Pushing the living room seating arrangement inward actually creates a conversation area and can work wonders when it comes to the potential buyer envisioning life in your living room. It is important for the space you are selling to be understood by the potential buyer. Confusing furniture placement can be a turn off.
Don’t Neglect Storage Areas
Most homeowners focus on only straightening out their closets, cabinets and pantries. In reality, they should focus on removing HALF of their items from these areas. Buyers will 100% check out all of these storage spaces, picturing their “stuff” in your space. They are mentally visualizing the move in!
What not to do when staging your home is something to consider when you are getting ready to put your home on the market. I would love to talk to you more about staging your home to attract that perfect buyer. Feel free to contact me here and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
