5 Home Staging Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

5 Home Staging Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

Let’s face it, selling a home is not just about putting up your for sale signage on your front yard and advertising it in a variety of ways. In today’s real estate market, homeowners have to take extra steps to make a sale. For home sellers trying to make a good impression, home staging has become a popular way to increase a home’s selling price and decrease selling time. Beautifully staged homes not only attract more buyers, but they often receive higher offers. Besides, staging a home for sale by owner can make the difference between a house languishing on the market for months versus one that sells quickly for top dollar. Unfortunately, a lot of home sellers make mistakes during the staging process that may scare buyers away.

Furthermore, some of the top mistakes made by sellers may seem obvious, but unfortunately, sellers make them again and again. If you want to make your home shine while it’s on the market, avoid these common home staging mistakes.

1. Not knowing your target audience- One of the common mistakes people make when staging their home is not knowing their target audience. In real estate, your target audience is whoever is most likely to purchase your home or the demographic that makes up most of your neighborhood. If, for instance, your neighborhood is made up of young professionals and their families, you may want to aim for a modern color palette and decor. If, however, your neighborhood is full of empty-nesters who are downsizing, it might make more sense to go for a more contemporary look.

2. Furniture that doesn’t fit the room- Many home sellers make the mistake of filling their rooms with furniture that is simply too large for the intended space. Your family might love the oversized furniture, but does it fit the space well? Consider the size of your house and which furniture you should keep on display.

3. Not creating a space buyers can visualize themselves in- When it comes to staging a home for sale, you have to make sure that you create a space potential homebuyers can visualize themselves in. Furthermore, don’t leave too many personal photographs or specific items that are religious or age-specific. This can alienate potential buyers.

4. Neglecting the exterior and greenery- It goes without saying, that the first impression of your home’s exterior is what will bring buyers inside. Besides, curb appeal is everything. Furthermore, replace plants and greenery that are struggling and make sure the lawn is freshly cut. In addition, the backyard should also be full of colorful plants that invite buyers to head outside.

5. Not cleaning thoroughly- Another common mistake people make when staging their home is not cleaning the house thoroughly. Before showing your home to the buyers, make sure you properly clean your house. If you don’t have the time or desire to complete a deep clean by yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaner.

While these were some of the home staging mistakes to avoid when selling your home, there are many others, such as multiple focal points in a room, hanging artwork too high, forgetting to stage storage areas among many others.