Dressing up a property for sale is an art as much as a science – perhaps not ‘rocket science’, but a skill nevertheless. Many of the best practices are straightforward; remove clutter, de-personalise, banish pet odours etc. But some mistakes can be less obvious.
Here are some home-staging mistakes that can sabotage a profitable sale, according to experts.
Not creating a virtual tour
We all know that nothing can replace the experience of walking through a house. But from a buyer’s standpoint, having the option of a virtual tour can make the difference between scheduling a viewing and never knowing they were interested.
Not staging to scale
Scale and proportion can make or break the look of a room. When choosing furniture to stage a property, it’s important to consider both size and colour. Too big (or too many pieces), and the space will look cramped. Too small (or too few) and the room will appear bland and uninviting. Creating a balanced look is key.
Focusing on what’s trending
There’s a difference between interior decorating and home staging. Both aim to impress, but while the decorating strives for specific styles, home staging means adding just the right amount of personality to a space. Not too much, not too little – just enough to attract as many buyers as possible. Some home stagers recommend going for a ‘transitional style’ – somewhere between traditions and trends.
Using outdated curtains
Window treatments are sometimes little more than an afterthought, but it’s the kind of detail that can change an entire room. For example, as long as the view is appealing and there are no privacy issues, ‘no curtains’ is often better than dated curtains. Better still, lightweight blinds or curtains in neutral tones can help maximise the natural light.
Being ‘too neutral’
Using too many neutrals can make a room appear flat, so a bit of colour variety is often the way to go. The right amount of colour adds dimension to your space, and if you have a large room to play with, you may also consider incorporating an accent wall.
Hanging bland wall art
Well-placed artworks can lift the whole décor and create an emotional connection with your buyers – but choosing the right art isn’t necessarily easy.
According to home stagers, there are three key elements to consider: colour (blues and greens are usually a safe bet), style (abstract, geometric shapes), and theme (nature, landscapes, still-life subjects). On the other hand, paintings representing people and controversial artwork are best avoided. And of course, make sure size, scale and balance are on point.
Placing all the furniture against the wall
Many people assume pushing furniture against walls will make a room look and feel bigger, but the opposite is also true. The reality is, it can make a large room feel too big, and a small room look cluttered. It may be best to pull your furniture off the wall, or pull it out altogether and replace it with better-fitting pieces.
Choosing one aesthetic
Buyers usually view several properties in one day, so ensuring that your listing stands out is all that matters. Rather than keeping a rigid décor throughout the property, making every room look unique to buyers may help leave a long-lasting impression after the open home.
Not hiring a professional
Professional home stagers are practised in the art of preparing a home for sale. They understand the flow of a property and can help create the ‘wow’ factor buyers are looking for.
If your vendors are looking to maximise their property opportunities, it could be worth adding home staging to their real estate marketing efforts. And we can help them fund the upfront cost.
Learn more about our ‘advertise now, pay later’ finance tool
Our ‘Front Door’ package is designed to help New Zealand property vendors fund the marketing for their home. Importantly, they won’t pay anything for the first three months. Get in touch with our friendly team today to get the conversation started.
Sources:
Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current development or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.