Staging Mistakes That Can Sabotage Your Sale

Staging a house is a popular practice in the real estate world, and if done properly, it can be an excellent way to help a buyer fall in love with your home. However, there are some common staging mistakes that could cripple your efforts to sell your home. We've compiled a list of a few staging blunders that you'll certainly want to avoid. 

• Letting the Decor Upstage Your Home
  The idea behind staging is to make your home look inviting and comfortable to interested buyers, so complementary furnishings are key. What you don't want to do is overshadow the potential and beauty of your home by staging it with too many furnishings or over-the-top style. An abundance of furniture or decorative pieces may actually detract from the home's natural appeal and prove to be a distraction to the buyer.
  
• Stay True To Scale
  Generally, everyone wants to create the illusion of space, but using furniture that doesn't match the scale of the room will likely result in the opposite effect. A small dining room table in a large dining area will look out of place and may have the buyer questioning whether the space is adequate for their needs.
  
• Don't Ever Fake It
  You want your home to look and feel like it is lived in yet well-kept. Staging with fake fruit, flowers, or even fake electronics takes away from the warmth of the home and leaves it feeling much like a department store display.
  
• Surprises In the Closets
  While it may seem tempting to store items you want out of sight in your closets, think twice before shoving your clutter behind closed doors. It's almost a given that prospective buyers will want to see the type and size of storage space, and the last thing you want is for them to open the closets only to find a mess.
  
• Closed Doors and Dark Spaces Are Not Welcoming
  Perhaps it's a habit to close doors in your home, but you'll want your entire home to seem open and welcoming to buyers. Open the doors and curtains or blinds to let in natural light and create the impression that your home is inviting them to explore.
  
• Lived-In Vs. Untidy
  Prospective home buyers typically have a keen eye and may notice virtually everything in your home. While it's acceptable and often recommended that your house feels "lived in," you should be sure that your home is clean and uncluttered before it is shown. Household smells, such as pet litter boxes and full trash bins, are a turn-off to buyers as well.
  
• Ignoring the Curb Appeal Factor
  In the staging process, it's easy to focus your attention on the home's interior. Don't overlook the fact that buyers will be taking in your home's exterior and landscaping as well. Before you show your home, take a little time to tidy up outside, making sure that walkways are clear and that your landscaping is in good condition.

Selling your home shouldn't be stressful. Relax and have some fun with staging, letting your home take the spotlight.

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