Common home staging mistakes can easily cost you one or more purchase offers. In fact, the biggest home staging mistakes might even deter people from coming to see the house in-person altogether. That’s right. It’s really that big a deal and yes, it is that serious to get it right. When you stop to consider how much competition you face in the hot Orlando residential real estate market and the fact your property must stand out from the rest, you begin to understand how vital home staging actually is to a successful sale.
Why Home Staging Works for Sellers
It’s well known in the real estate industry home staging is a necessity. Even if you go the DIY route and get a little professional advice along the way. The fact of the matter is, statistics show time and time again that staged home seller quicker and for more money. On average, a staged home sells 11 days faster.
“The experience can be grueling for sellers when their personal lives become public displays to strangers and their criticisms. If you’re going to be living in a home when selling, you have to willingly be inconvenienced. So what’s the best way to get out from under the microscope? Sell fast. Seems simple, but those sellers who have had a home on the market for months with no buyer leads can testify that many factors play a role in the final sale.” —U.S. News and World Report
not only do staged homes sell in substantially less time, they also bring more money to the table. Approximately 17 percent, according to the latest data, compared to a non-staged house. What’s more, 52 percent of real estate professionals believe buyers offer more for staged than non-staged properties, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors. Furthermore, home staging pays for itself. For instance, the average staged residence costs only 0.03 to 1 percent of the listing price but returns between 8 and 10 percent.
Most Common Home Staging Mistakes Sellers Make
But, just why do buyers prefer and pay more for staged properties? Well, it has to due with the fact that it only takes between 7 and 10 seconds for people to form an impression of a house. Which means, you have very little time to make a positive impression. Plus, only 1 in 10 people can reimagine a space. In other words, just 10 percent of all people can envision what they see in a meaningful, different way. That brings us to the most common home staging mistakes seller need to avoid:
- Too much theming and color. Okay, so there’s nothing wrong with a theme. It helps to tie a house together from room to room. Or, for using colors here and there. But, both become problematic when overdone. Too much and buyers simply can’t get past one or the other (or both).
- Too little natural light. While it’s perfectly understandable you don’t want to call attention to the neighbor’s overgrown yard or encroaching tree, giving up natural light is a big no-no. Simply put, the more natural light, the better because it gives the house a sense of more space and a feeling of positivity.
- Pushing the furniture against the walls. It’s very common for homeowners to push their furniture against the walls to maximize space in the middle. But, “floating” furniture, like around an area rug, does wonders for traffic and visual flow.
- Publishing unflattering listing photos. These days, house hunts begin online and it’s there where potential buyers will first encounter your property. So, make it count with pictures that wow. Bad listing photos are just bad news.
If you are considering buying or selling a house in Orlando’s Hunter’s Creek, or another community, contact us for the latest market information. We are local and experienced in all facets of residential real estate, here to help you, when you need it.