If you are selling your house, there is no doubt you’re getting lots of advice about how to stage your home to appeal to potential buyers. Have you spent time online reading about curb appeal, or maybe your friends have given you advice about making your home feel brighter? Regardless of the source, here are a few old staging tricks you should NOT be using.
- Baking – While it’s a nice idea to have treats available, buyers know that the smell of freshly baked cookies is a trick, and they may be suspicious of any odors you’re trying to mask.
- Fresh Scents – Of course, the home must smell fresh; however, using overpowering candles or room fresheners can be overwhelming. Try using essential oils that allow for a pleasant aroma to linger throughout the space without irritating the nasal passages, open windows to allow a crisp breeze to enter the area, or perhaps place freshly cut flowers.
- Elevator Music – It might seem like a home filled with smooth jazz would lend a relaxing feel, but it could have the opposite effect. Not only is it difficult to gauge the right volume, but it’s outdated and corny.
- Matchy-Matchy – Matched sets and uniform color palettes will make a home feel dated. Mix up the colors and patterns of pillows, bedspreads, and window treatments.
- Holiday Decorations – If your home is listed during a holiday, keep decorations to a minimum. Less is more for decorations of any kind; keep the house clean and as much of a blank slate as possible.
Staging a home is an art. The best strategy is to consult with an expert. We can offer some suggestions for a professional decorator who will make sure your home presents itself in the best possible light.