We often hear “I know how to prepare my home for sale, I read a book all about it!”. There are however some common home staging errors that should be discussed and put on the reminder list for homeowners who are trying to sell their home. There is a tendency for a lot of people to simply go with what they personally want to see in their property. It is very important to remember that staging your home is aimed at appealing to the widest number of potential buyers, instead of creating a space that you might personally enjoy.
What are some common home staging reminders that you should be aware of?
- What doesn’t seem like clutter to you could very well be clutter to a potential buyer. It’s normal to fall into this thinking that how you arrange things around your home is neat and organized, but what we might neglect is the fact that this could be considered by someone else as cluttered and disorganized. Get the second opinion of a professional home stager, or a family member or friend and listen to their insights.
- Major renovations may not be necessary. Usually, for home staging, much of the désigns and
updates can be achieved without necessarily having to fork out huge amounts of money for renovations. Unless your property is in very bad shape and could really use the facelift, simple, creative, and cost-efficient enhancements can usually do the trick. - Don’t block the light or the outside view. Let as much of the natural light in to your home for a pleasant, airy atmosphere. If the view outside your home is very appealing (especially if you put a lot of effort into the landscaping), you want to use that to add to the visual impact as potential buyers walk around your home. Avoid bulky furniture or heavy window treatments that prevent light and the outside views from adding their magic to your staging efforts.
- Pets should not be around during house showings. Many people love pets and honestly wouldn’t mind one bit if your dog, cat, or other animal friends are around while they are touring the home. But what if you get a potential client who is not particularly fond of animals? There is also the possibility of your pet damaging or messing up the staging design on the day of the showing. Make arrangements for your pets to be off-site.
- Don’t do too much. Too much accessories, too much décor, too much anything doesn’t make your home more sellable. Overdoing the accessories and personal touches can come off as fake or desperate. Find the right balance; choose décor and fixtures that highlight certain areas without causing too much strain on your clients’ vision.
