When you're selling your home, it's important to make sure that it looks its very best. This means taking the time to stage it properly. Unfortunately, many homeowners make common mistakes when staging their homes. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common staging mistakes and how to avoid them. If you’re hoping to sell your home on the Santa Rosa Beach real estate scene, avoid these pitfalls!
1: Cluttered countertops and surfaces
If your countertops and surfaces are cluttered, it can make your kitchen feel smaller and more cramped. There are a few ways that you can tackle this. Start by putting items away in cabinets or drawers to create a clean slate and show off the beauty of your countertops. It’s also a great idea to put any extraneous items into storage rather than jamming them into the cabinets. This way, the storage space will be neat and tidy when buyers take a peek as they tour your home.
Be sure to continue the decluttering process in all rooms of the home, removing any items that detract from its appearance. Make sure that your closets are organized to look their best.
Be sure to continue the decluttering process in all rooms of the home, removing any items that detract from its appearance. Make sure that your closets are organized to look their best.
2: Failing to deep clean
No buyer wants to tour a home and find dust and dirt everywhere. Deep cleaning your house before staging is often a tedious process, but it’s highly worthwhile. Make sure to vacuum, mop, dust, scrub, and go through every area with a fine tooth comb.
Skipping this step could cost you in the long run. Would-be buyers won't appreciate an unclean surface or a poorly managed home. Setting a great first impression from the moment buyers enter the front door can make all the difference when it comes to sealing that successful sale. The effort of deep cleaning will give buyers extra confidence in deciding whether or not they should place an offer, as they will know you’ve taken great care of your property – so don't let yourself down by not taking that extra bit of time!
Skipping this step could cost you in the long run. Would-be buyers won't appreciate an unclean surface or a poorly managed home. Setting a great first impression from the moment buyers enter the front door can make all the difference when it comes to sealing that successful sale. The effort of deep cleaning will give buyers extra confidence in deciding whether or not they should place an offer, as they will know you’ve taken great care of your property – so don't let yourself down by not taking that extra bit of time!
3: Poor furniture arrangement
Poor furniture arrangement is a common home staging mistake that can easily be avoided. When arranging your furniture, you want to set up each space with an intended function and allow each room to flow well into the next. Though it's easy to overlook, the furniture placement significantly impacts how buyers perceive a home. Placing furniture too close together in a small space makes it seem cluttered, while leaving large empty spaces between pieces can create an awkward, uninviting feeling for those viewing the property.
Staging is about creating an appealing visual layout and welcoming buyers to imagine their own lives in the space. If you get the furniture setup wrong, this task becomes almost impossible. So, take some time to rearrange your furniture before putting your house on the market and ensure you create an appealing atmosphere for all potential buyers.
Staging is about creating an appealing visual layout and welcoming buyers to imagine their own lives in the space. If you get the furniture setup wrong, this task becomes almost impossible. So, take some time to rearrange your furniture before putting your house on the market and ensure you create an appealing atmosphere for all potential buyers.
4: Bad lighting
Proper lighting can make all the difference! Bad lighting can be incredibly distracting and unpleasant for those looking to buy your property.
Natural light not only brightens and opens up a living space, but it also helps create a more inviting atmosphere. Additionally, if the room has no natural light, opt for new fixtures that emit warm tones, which will help make the environment feel cozier. Ensure that none of your light bulbs are flickering or need to be changed, as this will only create an unpleasant, distracting experience. Remember, when showing off your home, you want potential buyers to feel at ease and relaxed as they explore each room, but bad lighting can defeat this goal in an instant!
Natural light not only brightens and opens up a living space, but it also helps create a more inviting atmosphere. Additionally, if the room has no natural light, opt for new fixtures that emit warm tones, which will help make the environment feel cozier. Ensure that none of your light bulbs are flickering or need to be changed, as this will only create an unpleasant, distracting experience. Remember, when showing off your home, you want potential buyers to feel at ease and relaxed as they explore each room, but bad lighting can defeat this goal in an instant!
5: Personal items on display
When it comes to home staging, one of the most common mistakes is displaying personal items, such as family photos, mementos, trophies, custom refrigerator magnets, and other sentimental objects. While you might think these items add a personal touch and make your home more inviting, they can actually do the opposite.
Potential buyers want to be able to see themselves living in your home, which is hard to do if they are constantly reminded that it belongs to someone else. Because of this, they won’t feel a strong connection to the property.
In addition, personal items can also make a home feel cluttered and small. When buyers are looking at homes, they want to be able to imagine how their own belongings would fit within the space. If there are too many personal items on display, it will be difficult for them to do this.
If you are serious about selling your home, it is best to remove any personal items before putting it on the market. By doing this, you will help potential buyers see your home as a blank canvas that they can make their own.
Potential buyers want to be able to see themselves living in your home, which is hard to do if they are constantly reminded that it belongs to someone else. Because of this, they won’t feel a strong connection to the property.
In addition, personal items can also make a home feel cluttered and small. When buyers are looking at homes, they want to be able to imagine how their own belongings would fit within the space. If there are too many personal items on display, it will be difficult for them to do this.
If you are serious about selling your home, it is best to remove any personal items before putting it on the market. By doing this, you will help potential buyers see your home as a blank canvas that they can make their own.
6: Neglecting repairs
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when staging your home is to try and sell it without making any repairs first. This sends a very clear message to potential buyers that there may be more issues awaiting them once they move in.
Even small repairs can make a big difference when selling your home. For example, replacing outdated door knobs or fixing a slowly draining sink can show potential buyers that you take pride in your home and that it has been well cared for.
If you’re not sure what types of repairs need to be made before selling, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional home inspector or real estate agent. They will be able to give you a better idea of what potential buyers will be looking for and what kinds of repairs will help to increase the value of your home.
Home staging can be a great way to help your home stand out from the competition and attract more potential buyers. By taking the time to make sure that your home looks its best, you can expect higher offers and a more streamlined sale.
If you need assistance with home staging or want to get started in your selling journey, don't hesitate to reach out to experienced Realtor Rachel Hutchings. From Santa Rosa Beach real estate to Watercolor, Seaside, and 30A real estate, Rachel has the expertise that gets results.
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
Even small repairs can make a big difference when selling your home. For example, replacing outdated door knobs or fixing a slowly draining sink can show potential buyers that you take pride in your home and that it has been well cared for.
If you’re not sure what types of repairs need to be made before selling, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional home inspector or real estate agent. They will be able to give you a better idea of what potential buyers will be looking for and what kinds of repairs will help to increase the value of your home.
Home staging can be a great way to help your home stand out from the competition and attract more potential buyers. By taking the time to make sure that your home looks its best, you can expect higher offers and a more streamlined sale.
If you need assistance with home staging or want to get started in your selling journey, don't hesitate to reach out to experienced Realtor Rachel Hutchings. From Santa Rosa Beach real estate to Watercolor, Seaside, and 30A real estate, Rachel has the expertise that gets results.
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
