Staging Mistakes That Instantly Turn Off Home Buyers

It’s no longer a seller’s market in real estate. While home prices keep on rising every year, buyers have many options to choose from and think twice before making a buying decision. No matter how beautiful a home is, buyers will never make an offer if it is filled with clutter or has a bad smell. Avoid these home staging mistakes many sellers make.

Staging Mistakes That Instantly Turn Off Home Buyers

Ensure your home is welcoming to potential buyers

Image via: Homeunik

Not Cleaning the Interior Thoroughly

If you want to turn off potential buyers show them a filthy house. While cleaning is the first rule of home staging, it is one some sellers ignore. Clean, clean, and clean some more. Make sure that your house is in the best condition – replace the carpeting, scrub floors, and stem-clean tile and grout. If the carpet smells, have it shampooed. If it is old and worn out, get rid of it. It is better to show bare floors than worn-out carpeting. Your home should not only be clean, it should be as neat as a pin.

Not Removing Personal Items

When staging your home, keep in mind that you are staging for buyers and not yourself. Buyers don’t want to know where you went for vacation last year or if you love politics. Remove all personal items from your home and store them in a rental storage facility. When your home is filled with personal items, buyers won’t be able to visualize themselves in the space.

Remove personal items from your bathroom

Image via: Immotion Home Staging

Bad Odors

Seasoned realtors say that buyers buy homes with their noses. Your home should smell fresh and inviting. Odors are a big no-no, particularly kitchen odors. Avoid cooking pungent food for as long as your home is on the market. Also get rid of pet smells because buyers are bound to notice them. Remember that even if you are a dog person, not everyone is.

Ensure your laundry room isn’t leading to offensive odors

Image via: triovalspeedway

As you stage your home, bear in mind that buyers who come to see it will not look at it the way you do. What may be beautiful to you may be downright ugly to them. With today’s stiff competition and market challenges, you cannot afford to take any chances. Avoid these staging mistakes to gain a competitive edge over other home sellers.

If you’re trying to sell your home, look to Stagetecture’s Home Staging Tips at About.com too!