In a sellers’ market like this one, some sellers may think they can get away with putting minimal thought and effort into staging. However, even simple mistakes in staging can be a huge turn off to buyers! Make sure your clients follow these cardinal rules so that their homes make nothing but positive impressions.

Home Scents
While a seller may become immune to their home’s odor, it is important not to have a very strong air freshener that might be accidentally off-putting to potential buyers. Every person has different preferences on what smells good, bad, or too strong, so it’s best to err on the side of caution in this case. A professional clean may be all the home needs to have a fresh scent. You may also try out some different air fresheners on friends or colleagues. In the end, you don’t want a scent you may find appealing to actually turn people away.

Keep It Clutter-Free
According to 2-10 Homeowners, keeping knickknacks on display is not best practice because it’s important for buyers to focus on the actual features of the home rather than cluttered family items. If there are too many personal items from the seller, buyers may not actually be able to picture themselves living there. They also may not notice specific design features you or your seller are trying to highlight in the home. Before a showing, be sure to take one last look around and put away any small trinkets that may not be appealing to your prospective buyers.

Don’t Over Stage
Modern décor is great and expected in a model home, but too many new trends may not appeal to a potential buyer if they are not used to this particular style. Your buyer needs to see themselves in the home and if the décor is too trendy, they may look elsewhere for a more traditional feel. Choose furniture or items that may already be in the seller’s home to avoid extra work. If you do need to set up furniture, stick to timeless pieces that can work for anyone.

Plenty of Counter Space
Your potential clients may be avid bakers with a lot of kitchen tools, or they may have their cookbook collection spread out on the counters. Whatever it may be, you want to show off the counter space in the home, not hide it. Remove any clutter in the kitchen that may not be accentuating the key features that you want. Don’t keep toasters and cake stands out on the counters just for show, keep it simple to help potential buyers envision their own space.

The National Association of REALTORS^® reported 82% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. While staging is important, avoid going over the top and causing detrimental effects.