Top 7 Home Staging Flops

Posted by admin on Apr 22, 2011 in Not on Home Page, Sellers Resources | 5 comments

Nowadays, if you want to sell your house quickly and for top dollar, a coat of paint and a good cleaning aren’t enough. To inspire the all-important fantasy element that makes a buyer want to live there, you’ve got to romance it a little — and that’s where home staging comes in.

1. EMPTY SPACES – Many people are spatially dysfunctional. They have trouble understanding a space without furniture. Clearly defined rooms create a base for potential buyers to be able to visualize how they personally would use a particular space. An empty room often leaves too much to the imagination for the typical buyer.

2. TOO LITTLE OR TOO MUCH FURNITURE – If there is too much furniture in a space, it will need to be diplomatically edited. One needs to be able to see the “bones” of the space and not get caught up in a crowded awkward home. It is crucial that the furniture be efficiently and beautifully spaced in order to help potential buyers visualize the space properly in order to maximize profit.

3. BAD LIGHTING – Proper lighting is an inexpensive fix and should be used to showcase the beauty of your space. Lighting needs to be addressed very carefully in order to create mood as well as function.

4. TOO PERSONALIZED – A home needs to be diplomatically depersonalized in order to maximize its sales price. This doesn’t mean just putting away pictures, the less personal effects a buyer sees, the easier it is for them to picture themselves living in the space. Remove trophies, children’s artwork, religious artifacts, and as many other personal items as possible. You want buyers to fantasize themselves in your home, not feel as if they’re intruding on your personal space.

5. TOO MUCH CLUTTER – As having too little furniture can distract buyers, having too much can have the same affect. Clutter creates an environment in which the potential buyer may feel uncomfortable.

6. AVOIDING NECESSARY REPAIRS – Potential buyers will make a mental list of repairs needed as they walk through a property- the smaller that list, the more likely that buyer will purchase the property.

7. A DIRTY HOME – Yesterday’s underwear and dirty socks on the floor may not bother a seller but typically buyers prefers not to step around one’s messes while viewing a property.

For a reasonable fee, a home stager will assess your home objectively, and work to maximize assets and minimize flaws. This might include decluttering closets; adding, moving or storing furniture and accessories; recommending minor repairs; and polishing up the décor to make it sparkle.

These home staging faux pas’ have been graciously provided by Jane Guest of Gentle Move.

For further information, she can be reached at:

514-999- HELP (4357)
www.janeyandco.com