By now, almost everybody even considering selling their Waterloo Region home has heard about the significance of staging a Waterloo Region house for sale. We real estate agents have made it clear that people who are interested in buying your home want to see it in its best condition, ready to welcome a new owner.
But getting a Waterloo Region home ready to sell involves more than just putting the furniture in the right places. And bad staging can not only be jarring to homebuyers but can even make them question the validity of the asking price that, until a few moments ago, they had thought to be reasonable.
With this in mind, here's a look at 14 deadly "home staging sins" you should avoid at all costs.
Rooms with a Theme
Although it's important to match your interior design to the style of your house (classic furniture, for instance, looks great in a Victorian), get rid of any overly ornate theme rooms before putting your house on the market.
Buyers will be more interested in your possessions than the room itself, in a flowery bathroom that is overflowing with fake flowers and floral prints or a bedroom that is decorated with deep-sea diving equipment. Which can be a bad thing in a number of ways, especially if they don’t like the sea. Or flowers.
Elements that are Overly Personalized
We get it—it's your house, and you've decorated it as you see fit. That's OK, but keep in mind that if you modify your property in an unusual or exotic manner, you risk alienating future buyers. Your gleaming orange kitchen cabinets may be your favorite, but most buyers prefer more traditional cabinets.
That doesn't mean you have to shell out a ton of cash on improvements in order to sell your home. However, before you redecorate, think about how long you expect to stay in your home. Choose a design that will appeal to a wide range of people if you plan to sell in the next few years.
Putting Your Family on Display
Lining the walls and adorning the mantel with family photos and trophies is one of the most common mistakes sellers make. There's a psychological aspect at play here: when buyers view a home loaded with personal items, they can't picture it as their own.
As a result, the first rule of home staging is to remove your family from the scene. Literally. Put those pictures and mementos away; once you've settled into your new home, you'll be able to bring them all back out.
Failing in the Yard
It's easy to become so focused on the interior of your home that you overlook the exterior. Keep in mind that prospective buyers may frequently drive by your home before scheduling a viewing. They'll go on to the next house on their list if the view from the curb isn't appealing.
Because first impressions are so important, mow the grass, trim the shrubs, rake the leaves, and clean the sidewalks periodically while your house is on the market.
Neglecting Small Repairs
You might not notice small flaws in your home if you've lived there for a while, but prospective buyers will. No matter how tastefully the furnishings are arranged, a squeaky door, a broken doorbell, or a small crack in the window can all turn off prospective buyers.
Go for a walk through your home and try to see it for the first time. This will enable you to identify and address any minor issues that have accumulated over time and you ca take care of them all before you offer your Waterloo region home for sale.
Unintentional Use of Space
Now that the kids have moved out, you've converted that empty bedroom into your hobby room, but don't leave it that way when you put your house on the market. If your house is listed as having three bedrooms, make sure buyers can see them as just that; three bedrooms.
The same goes for your patio, which shouldn't look like a place to store bikes and toys, and your living room, which shouldn't look like a home gym. Every area in your home should be furnished to suit its purpose.
Fake Props
When presenting a house that you have already moved out of, it is tempting to use fake fruit and temporary furnishings. Don't give in to the urge! There is never a good substitute for the real thing, whether it be an air mattress on the floor of the bedroom or a bowl of fake apples on the kitchen island.
Although home stagers might advise you that it's crucial for your home to appear "lived-in," fake items will turn away potential buyers. If you don't have any, rent some from a furniture store or staging company that specializes in getting homes ready for showings, borrow some from a friend, or buy something simple and serviceable second-hand.
Closed Doors
Add this to your pre-showing checklist: open all the doors before you leave. Buyers should be able to look into every area without having to open a door. Particularly timid buyers who are reluctant to touch a doorknob might miss important spaces and features. Maintain an open door policy so that everyone can admire your beautiful home.
Carpeting Calamities
Before you put your house on the market, if at all possible, replace the carpeting if it is worn. The first thing buyers will notice is if the carpet displays evident signs of wear. Your old carpeting might also carry odors that could put off purchasers, even if you don't detect it with your nose.
Before allowing potential buyers into your home, at the very least, have your carpet professionally cleaned.
Displayed Collections
A messy interior will hurt your chances of selling your property, and nothing says cluttered like a junky collection crammed onto the shelves. Your shadow box full of souvenir spoons may be charming to you, but buyers may not feel the same way.
If you want to show off your personality while showing your property, select two or three of your favorite things and store the others until you accept an offer.
Furniture Setups That Are Uninspiring
Having each piece of furniture in a room might look neat if they are all leaning up against the wall, but it also screams "drab, drab, drab." Your home will look better if you arrange those chairs, sofas, and loveseats more tastefully and away from the wall.
To create a conversation area in your living room, place a couch and club chairs opposite one another. Potential buyers are likely to be drawn in by the comfortable seating arrangement and be able to picture themselves relaxing in the space with friends and family.
Furnishings That Aren't to Scale
Make sure the scale of your furniture matches the scale of your space. In a large great room with a vaulted ceiling, a small loveseat with little end tables will look out of place. A large four-poster bed, on the other hand, can overwhelm a basement bedroom with a low ceiling.
Pay attention to the amount of furniture items in a room, as well as their sizes. A room with too many items will visually diminish floor space, whereas a room with too few would appear sparse and uninviting.
Using the Same Colors Across the Board
While it's a good idea to keep neutral hues on the walls, don't use the same color everywhere. Your home will become forgettable if each room appears to be the same rather than having its own distinct personality.
While bright colors should still be avoided, you should mix up the neutrals by utilizing different hues in different rooms. As a result, each area will have its own distinct appeal.
Staging Every Room
It's not necessary to stage every single room in the house. In fact, a home that appears to be too flawless can make it difficult for buyers to imagine themselves living there. The living room, kitchen, and bathrooms are the most important rooms to stage because they are the rooms that sell homes.
Guest bedrooms and home offices can be left unstaged. Focus on keeping the spaces immaculately clean in those rooms to create a "blank canvas" appeal that helps potential buyers to envision what they might do with the space.
Getting ready to sell a Waterloo Region home, or buy a property in the KW area? Let Team Pinto use their huge local real estate experience and expertise to help you. Contact the award-winning Team Pinto here, or book a free Zoom consultation to discuss your unique Waterloo Region real estate needs here.
