Staging a house is a popular practice in the real estate world, and, if done properly, an excellent way to help a buyer fall in love with your home.
However, there are some common staging mistakes that could cripple your efforts to sell your home. We’ve compiled a list of a few staging blunders that you’ll certainly want to avoid.
- Letting the Decor Upstage Your Home
The idea behind staging is to make your home look inviting and comfortable to interested buyers, so complementary furnishings are key. What you don’t want to do is overshadow the potential and beauty of your home by staging it with too many furnishings or over-the-top style. An abundance of furniture or decorative pieces may actually detract from the home’s natural appeal and prove to be a distraction to the buyer. - Stay True To Scale
Generally, everyone wants to create the illusion of space, but using furniture that doesn’t match the scale of the room will likely result in the opposite effect. A small dining room table in a large dining area will look out of place and may have the buyer questioning whether the space is adequate for their needs. - Don’t Ever Fake It
You want your home to look and feel like it is lived in yet well kept. Staging with fake fruit, flowers or even fake electronics takes away from the warmth of the home and leaves it feeling much like a department store display. - Surprises In the Closets
While it may seem tempting to store items you want out of sight into your closets, think twice before shoving your clutter behind closed doors. It’s almost a given that prospective buyers will want to see the type and size of storage space, and the last thing you want is for them to open the closets only to find a mess. - Closed Doors and Dark Spaces Are Not Welcoming
Perhaps it’s habit to close doors in your home, but you’ll want your entire home to seem open and welcoming to buyers. Open the doors and curtains or blinds to let in natural light and create the impression that your home is inviting them to explore. - Lived-In Vs. Untidy
Prospective home buyers typically have a keen eye and may notice virtually everything in your home. While it’s acceptable and often recommended that your house feels “lived in”, you should be sure that your home is clean and uncluttered before it is shown. Household smells such as pet litter boxes and full trash bins are a turn off to buyers as well. - Ignoring the Curb Appeal Factor
In the staging process, it’s easy to focus your attention on the home’s interior. Don’t overlook the fact that buyers will be taking in your home’s exterior and landscaping as well. Before you show your home, take a little time to tidy up outside, making sure that walkways are clear and that your landscaping is in good condition.
Selling your home shouldn’t be stressful. Relax and have some fun with staging, letting your home take the spotlight.
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CBR, SRES - Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Phone: 516.849.5895 | [email protected]
As an experienced professional Neil will do the leg work, keeping you up-to-date with new listings and the various market conditions that may impact the home purchase process. Sellers can also benefit from his skills in finance, negotiation, contractual agreements, and RE marketing. Call today and allow Neil to guide you through the complexities of buying or selling your home, eliminating hassles, and stress.
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Multiple listing service of long Island
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