5 Common Home Staging Mistakes to Avoid

January 26, 2021

Being able to design and build a custom home means you can get the home of your dreams. Often, transitioning to your dream custom home also means selling your current home. Good staging can make the difference between the perfect sale and missing the mark. Here are some common home staging mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1 – Overpersonalizing the Decor

Although personal touches around your house can help make it feel like home to you, they may not resonate with potential home buyers. When you are staging a house for sale, the goal is to appeal to a wide range of buyers in your market. Too much personalized decor can be a turn-off and cut down on the pool of potential buyers willing to make an offer.

You won’t be able to meet everyone’s idea of the perfect home. But, by depersonalizing your decor a bit, you’ll appeal to more potential buyers and also be less likely to turn them off if your personal tastes and styles do not align. Plus, you’ll be able to focus more on presenting a welcoming environment with clean lines that a potential buyer could see themselves making into a home of their own.

Mistake #2 – Cutting Corners to Save Time

You may be excited about your upcoming custom home and want to get your current house on the market as soon as possible. However, one of the biggest home staging mistakes to avoid is rushing through things or cutting corners to save time and get it done as quickly as possible.

Not only does this create problems down the road, especially when it comes to inspections, but it can also lead to overdoing things and turning off potential buyers. For example, tossing a bunch of pillows everywhere doesn’t always create a welcoming environment and neither does spraying a bunch of air freshener. Adding a bunch of furniture can make your house look small, crowded, and cluttered.

Instead, really take your current home into account. Make sure needed repairs are done well and that you take the time to clean and set up a great atmosphere. And, try to open your windows to let fresh air inside instead of relying on air fresheners. They can be helpful in a pinch, but they also can add a perfume smell to the air that can overwhelm potential buyers and turn them off.

Mistake #3 – Doing Unnecessary Major Renovations

Although remodeling projects can increase the value of your home, it’s not always a good idea to do them when you are planning to sell. If renovating a kitchen, bathroom, etc. makes sense for selling your current home, then it’s a wise investment. But, it’s only worth the time, effort, and money if it makes sense for your situation.

Doing a major renovation that isn’t necessary or makes sense for your situation and your home is a waste of time and your dollars. Instead, it may make more sense to do smaller updates like adding a new kitchen backsplash, updating faucets and fixtures, repainting walls, etc. This can help give your home an updated look without diving into major renovations that are unnecessary.

Mistake #4 – Not Cleaning Enough

Buyers want to see a clean and well-maintained home when they go to a showing. It’s important to remove clutter and deep clean your home to prepare it for staging. It’s also important to pay attention to the details.

Potential buyers will notice dusty fans or baseboards, piles of clutter, broken outlet covers, etc. Whether at the initial showing or later in the process after they make an offer, they’ll notice the details and may take it as a sign that the home has not been well-maintained.

Mistake #5 – Focusing on Cleaning, But Not Thinking About Staging

Although cleaning is a necessary part of staging a home, it is not the same thing as staging. Focusing on cleaning, but never thinking about intentionally staging your home for showings is one of the common home staging mistakes to avoid.

When it comes to staging your home for sale, you need to think about your target market of potential buyers. What is popular in your local market? What do buyers want to see most? What are they looking for in a home? Thinking about these things can help you approach staging strategically and help you create an environment that potential buyers will love.

Poor presentation is one of the things that can devalue your home. Avoiding these common home staging mistakes, keeping some home staging tips in mind, and partnering with the right team can help you sell your current home in a timely manner and move seamlessly into your new dream home. If you’re ready to make your dream home a reality, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090!