Alt-tag: A floor plan with a drill and nails.
If there’s one thing that homeowners tend to get wrong about the selling process, it is that they could profit more by selling their home independently than by working with an agent. And although there are cases where this is true, an agent could let you in on all the secrets, 101s, and local market trends that could not only streamline the transaction but also drive your home’s value up. And one of the things that could do just that is home staging. So, let’s get into more detail about some common staging mistakes to avoid when selling your home.
Why should I stage my home before the sale?
Any expert in the field of real estate will tell you that selling your house ‘as-is’ isn’t such a common practice at all. The only exceptions to this are situations when:
· The location is superb,
· the buyers are specifically looking to purchase a fixer-upper,
· or the buyers are in a hurry to move into the home.
Other than this, most homebuyers like to picture themselves and what their life would look like if they moved into a new home. And staging allows them to do just that. Others simply prefer moving into a nice, fully repaired, and complete home.
Therefore, investing in your home before putting it on the market will shorten the amount of time it spends there and get you the best deal possible. That’s why it matters how you approach staging - it is not the case that anything will do.
Don’t go in for major renovations
Putting your home on sale without any preparation is a gamble, especially when there are some obvious reasons you have to repair or renovate your home or parts of your home. Necessary repairs are… well, necessary. Investing in some significant renovations, on the other hand, can be a risky move for homeowners.
First of all, most homes are built to use the most logical layout for the surface area. Additions and interventions that are there solely for aesthetic purposes may only compromise the symmetry and practicality of the space. For example, some people like to lower the ceiling in order to insert light fixtures or neon lights into the crevices. However, there is an excellent reason not to do so - the home buyer might not share your enthusiasm for such lighting. In the end, you will waste a lot of time and money only to build something massive that does not appeal to the larger buyer pool.
Caption: Go for smaller renovation projects.
Alt: A home renovation.
Instead, it is better to keep the renovations moderate. So, no significant and unnecessary floor-plan changes. Instead, make sure you find tips and inspiration for staging that are not only more appealing but also easier to execute.
Don’t DIY
However, you will need to do some work. But it would be best if you didn’t try to do everything yourself. This is especially true for the necessary repairs you need to execute in your home. An inadequately done repair usually does more harm than good. In other words, the costs of repairing what you repaired might be more expensive than the money you have initially saved. So, it is best if you steer clear of most DIY repair tasks and let the pros do the heavy lifting for you.
Not removing cheap interior decoration
Next on our list of staging mistakes to avoid when selling your home is not removing cheap interior decoration. Let’s start with an example. Wallpaper and linoleum used to be revered a few decades ago. Nowadays, they are seen as nothing but a cheap and quick cover-up of the fact that you haven’t painted or renovated your home in ages. So, if possible, anything that can be observed as cheap, quick, or dated has to go.
Caption: Investing in cheaper materials and procedures is definitely a staging mistake to avoid.
Alt: A man repairing a doorstep.
Not removing outdated furniture
Some decorative items or colors might discourage buyers because they are too dated or off-putting due to their old age and wear and tear. So, no matter how much you like or don’t care about your interior decor, leaving a sponged wall, any piece of furniture from the previous millennium, dated light fixtures, old and musky curtains, draperies, and such, is simply a staging sin you’d want to fend off.
Firstly, you don’t want the buyer to feel like entering a time capsule. No matter how spacious or homely your home is, in essence, they won’t be able to see the potential. Secondly, the point of staging is to show off the qualities of your home, not obscure them.
That is why it is better to throw out or sell all furniture and belongings you have no use for when you move out of your home. Not only will you be able to let your old home shine, but you will also help your Orange Mover crew to finish moving your stuff quicker. It’s simple - the fewer items you have, the quicker and cheaper the relocation.
Invest in good lighting
Some people are perfectly fine with using just ceiling lights - others dread this. The thing is, the camera lens perceives light differently than the human eye, and you need good photography for your listing.
But there’s more to it than just taking that Instagram-worthy shot of your interior. A well-lit home can emphasize all the right details and make it appear more warm, friendly, and inviting. Poor lighting, then, does just the opposite. Still, it’s a staging slipup that home sellers all too often fail to dodge. So, no matter how tasteful they stage their home, they still end up with a home that looks yellowish and uninviting.
But, as with everything else, use moderation and logic. There is no need to put in too many strong white lights - your buyers might feel like entering their dentist’s office. Instead, place a few lamps that give out a soft, unintrusive glow. Lamps can also help you draw attention to a particular aspect of your home you want the buyer to pay attention to.
Hanging wall décor ineffectively is one of the staging mistakes to avoid
Having a few artworks inside the home is a good staging strategy because it adds a touch of color and authenticity. It also makes the house appear much cozier, making it easier for the buyers to imagine themselves living inside it. However, the art might get in the way if placed improperly.
Caption: Pictures will brighten up the room and make it more inviting.
Alt: A couch with colorful pillows.
It would be best if you focused on the size of your artwork compared to the size of your wall space. Large paintings covering a small wall space will make everything feel cramped and messy, whereas a small photo on an enormous blank space could look silly and empty. If, however, you only have small images to hang, creating a gallery wall will do the trick.
Good luck!
All in all, we hope this article on staging mistakes to avoid when selling your home has helped you set the stage for welcoming potential homebuyers. Best of luck!
Meta: Not sure how to stage your home the right way? Here are 6 staging mistakes to avoid when selling your home.
KW: staging mistakes to avoid
Photos used:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/floor-plan-on-table-834892/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/unfinished-wall-804392/
