What not to do when Prepping a home for the market

Staging,at one time, was simply an option primarily for higher end and luxury properties. In today’s real estate market however, professional staging is the only way to set your house apart from the competitors down the street or in the same neighbourhood. Overall, staging follows some simple and proven techniques to maximize the appeal of your home to the greatest number of buyers. However, there are quite a few common mistakes that undermine the success of staging and a potentially successful sale of your home.

Here are the top common mistakes home sellers make when Prepping their home for the market.You should keep these in mind whether you are thinking of getting your home ready to sell or have been on the market for an extended period of time without offers.

Don’t take it personally When you make the decision to sell your house, you have to realize that now is the time to emotionally detach from your home and think of it as a product. The same way that products in a store are marketed, your house will have to be treated with the same marketing strategies in order to secure a successful sale. It can be a very emotional and difficult time letting go of your beloved home, but you have got to keep the bigger picture in mind, and think that you will create more amazing memories in your new house.
Don’t think the house will sell itself Real Estate is like a game in any market, and especially in today’s market conditions, you have got to implement some preparation strategies if you want to sell quick and for maximum profit. So de-clutter, de-personalize, clean, make all the small repairs, paint if you have to and overall create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Make sure to have professional, attractive photos for online listings, as that is the first step most buyers take when starting their search.
Don’t block light & views Natural light is extremely important and blocking it off with heavy curtains or bulky pieces of furniture is false economy. Especially if you’ve got attractive views, instead of hiding them – make them the focal point, and see the positive result it has on the buyers.
Don’t paint with dark, intense and custom colours Now is not the time to bring in your personal taste to the table. Choose a nice, neutral and warm colour, such as any of the following families: beige tones, grey tones, or light blue or pale greens. You’ll be surprised at the transformative effect a few coats of fresh paint will have on your space!
Don’t neglect the clutter What might seem like clean and organized to you, might not translate the same to others. Make sure to tour the house top to bottom by enlisting a friend or the help of a professional stager that will give you an honest opinion about what needs to go and what can stay.
Don’t leave your pets around during showings This goes along the same lines of not taking it personally. It is important to keep in mind that not everyone loves animals, and some people might either be allergic or afraid of them and therefore, some will even refuse to walk into the house, knowing there is a certain creature in there. So take them away on a mini adventure during showings, and make sure that all the pet odors have been eliminated as well.
Don’t keep your photos and knick-knacks out Buyers are there to potentially find their dream home, and it would be impossible to try and imagine their own lives, when they’re surrounded by constant reminders that this is someone else’s house. So eliminate anything that will cause buyers to be reminded that it’s not theirs, since you want them to feel at home and envision their own family enjoying the space.

It is truly false economy to rush and list your house if it is not 100% ready for showings. Instead invest the time and money to prepare your house to be viewed and judged from all angles, and then watch it be snatched up in the first few showings, because people will fall in love with it, when they see how well maintained the house is.

A Home Stager can guide you through the process,with many different services.

Cost effective staging consultations with a written report.
Full staging of vacant properties.
Partial staging of occupied homes.
Referrals to trusted trades and Realtors.
Furnishing and accessory rentals.
Colour consultations.
A helping hand in this exciting but stressful time in your life.

Prep Home Staging

Halifax NS