Flaws You Cannot Hide By Staging Your Home

Good points, Sheila. Buyers are not going to be sway simply by a home that looks line when they are obvious defects and deferred maintenance.

Jeff

Many sellers do not realize that there is a cost to sell in most cases.

And before you fix the screens, take them down and wash the windows. HUGE return on investment just letting the light in!

I think some people have the mistaken impression that staging is done to hide flaws. And... sometimes when people get an idea in their heads, it's difficult to dislodge. 

I had a client go into contract on a home that we knew the roof needed work.  But the ceilings inside looked OK.  When the inspectors got in the attic we found they had patched the roof from the inside with tar.  There were buckets and tarps all over to catch water.  My buyer walked.

Sheila ... You are right that some home sellers are unable to hide flaws of a property with staging. 

Home and property buyers are educated and smart here at Orange County CA.  If obvious damage can be repaired or renovated by using up to $5,000, we recommend to our clients and customers to do that - rather than spend money on staging.

Good list, always surprising how sellers want to do as little as possible, but when they become a buyer want everything pristine.

Good post Sheila.  Covering flaws, like broken floor tiles, is just going to create a suspicious attitude.  "I wonder what else they don't want us to know."  These things are going to show up at the inspection anyway.

 I like the links at the end with tips on what to do about your suggestions.

All good stuff, yet so elementary, you would think sellers would prep their homes to sell, wouldn't you? 

You are right if you try to cover these up then the buyers wonder what serious items you are hiding.  Screens are inexpensive to repair and it never ceases to amaze me that seller will bulk at a $25 repair when it can mean thousands of dollars in their pocket.

Hi Anna,

This is a  very good post and it is unfortunate that sellers do not always see the need for the expense. A well staged home with important repairs done make all the world of difference between a quick offer and a low ball offer after a long period of time.

Never attempt to hide a defect.  While you can stage around an issue by arranging furniture or painting with a light color to make a room look bigger to hide a defect is deceitful.

ABSOLUTELY, Sheila!!  This post is right on!  Even if it means I lose the staging project, I never like for a client to "cover up" anything. I always tell them that they must  get ___ and ___ repaired first, then to call me to stage.

I always enjoy working alongside Realtors/Brokers who are not afraid to push this with their client. Glaring repairs MUST be addressed first!

Staging a home is a good thing, but I have seen homes that I call over staged.  You are not going to hide a lot of things.  One of my pet peeves when it comes to staging is the dining room table being set.  Who keeps their table set?  Just put a centerpiece on the dining room table.  I want to see a home that looks like someone is living there, but without the clutter or personal items.  I call it, what the room would look like after you cleaned the room.

Sheila,

One of the most inexpensive way to spruce up and stage ones house is  to sweep the front entrance. Cob webs are not attractive and appealing to anyone.

Good post Sheila, a lot of things that cannot be decorated around or painted over.

Sheila - Staging should never be about hiding flaws, and if a seller wants top dollar for their home, it better be in top shape.