Although DIY home staging may seem an easy project, we see several common mistakes when homeowners make the attempt. Most homeowners go about the process as if it were just a matter of rearranging furniture or redecorating.

There’s a lot more to home staging than that, however. The most important aspect is knowing who your most likely buyer will be and then appealing to their emotions.

Take a look at the five most common staging mistakes we see so you can avoid them if you plan on going the DIY way.

Mistake number 1: Not cleaning before you prepare your staging

There’s a difference between routine house cleaning and cleaning for staging. The latter is a deep clean and serves as the background for the staging. Professional housecleaners suggest that you move around the house, cleaning from the ceiling to the floor, so that you don’t miss any spots.

Dust and wipe down the baseboards, clean the vents, bleach the grout in your shower, and polish the hardware in your kitchen and bathrooms.

A deep clean also sends a subliminal message to potential buyers that the home is well-cared for and helps them imagine living in the space.

Mistake No. 2: Leaving the wrong furniture in place

Too much (or too big) furniture makes rooms appear cluttered.

Trying to put too much furniture in one space makes it look smaller than it really is.

Try to stick with three large pieces at most per room to keep the house feeling big and open.

Then, ensure that what’s left in each room advertises the room’s purpose. This means no baby changing table in the home office and ridding the master bedroom of the treadmill.

Mistake number 3: Neglecting to stage storage areas

While the home is on the market, its storage spaces should be highlighted. Remove bulky winter clothes and blankets from closets and cupboards, organise the pantry and store excess linens to make the linen cupboard appear roomy.

Potential buyers will definitely want to know how much storage space your home has, so no closet will be safe for concealing messes. If you’re in a pinch, a last-ditch effort to hide a mess is under a bed.

Mistake No. 4: Ignoring the garage

A study found that more than half of the homebuyers surveyed find a home with a garage “essential” or “desirable.”

More than 30 percent of homebuyers think the garage is the most important room in the home. Baby boomers, in fact, care more about the garage than the living room.

Mistake number 5: Assuming buyers won’t notice your lack of curb (roadside) appeal

The exterior of your home can make or break your bottom line. It’s the home’s first impression and, believe me, if potential buyers don’t like what they see from the curb, they’ll drive on to the next home on their list.

Start with the exterior walls. Sometimes powerwashing is all it takes to make them sparkle. If the home needs new paint, however, you can look forward to an average 43 percent return on your financial investment in the process, according to homegain.com.

Then, turn your attention to the landscaping. Simple touches like making sure the lawn is freshly cut, power-washing the driveway, or putting a few freshly potted plants on the front porch can make a big impact.

Staging your home, inside and out, is a wise move. But don’t make common mistakes that might negate all your hard work.

Thanks for reading. 
Wishing you a successful day.

If you have a question on the local Real Estate market, or should you spend money on a renovation of your home before you sell, or how to contact a Mortgage Broker, or any information about a local area, just call Matt Wineera on 0274 951 536 who is always on hand to answer your query. His advice is given freely and without obligation.

Work with Matt Wineera who lists and sells homes in the Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa areas.

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Matt continually achieves great results for Home Owners through his negotiation skills and vast real estate experience, knowledge and expertise.

Matt is very passionate about real estate and loves being at the coal face.

Give Matt a call now 0274 951 536 to schedule a no obligation FREE Current Market Report for Your Home.

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