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4 Staging Myths

By
Home Stager

 

Staging Myths

 

When I’m marketing my home staging business, whether it’s in social media, print media, or in person, I always include information about what home staging is, and what it isn’t.

 

During the consultation, I also find it helpful to dispel some of the myths that surround staging.

 

Here are but a few staging myths...

 

1.  You can hide flooring flaws with throw rugs. don't hide flaws

Sellers have asked me if they can keep their little throw rugs to cover up cracked tile or carpet stains.

Not possible.  Throw rugs will (1) eat up space, and (2) call attention to what you’re trying to hide, which by the way, no agent or stager would condone.

Your best bet is to fix the problem BEFORE you list your house. Go into this process with a clean slate.

 

 

 

2.  Remove all personal photos and objects.

Yes, and no.  Removing these helps in 2 ways: (1) to remove the distraction that buyers have because everyone wants  to look and see who’s in the photos, and (2) it helps the buyer to see the house as a possibility for their new home.

 

BUT….. you don’t need to leave the home cold with framed fake people.  One client whose husband had recently passed away, needed one or two personal photos around to give her some comfort during the selling process.  

 

  1. Vacant homes have to be staged.

It’s not in everyone’s budget.  But you do need to consider condition when your property is vacant.  Make sure it is clean and everything repaired or replaced, because without furniture or furnishings, your buyers will focus on any flaws they see.

If you have unusually shaped or overly large rooms, staging will help the buyer see the possibilities.

 

home staging 4.  Just move the sofa and other furniture against the walls to give the appearance of more room.

This can actually do the opposite.   

Let the buyers see the flow of the room by staging it, not pushing it back as if you were going to have a dance.

Create a sitting area that makes sense, not one where buyers feel they will have to use binoculars to view the television.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staging isn’t meant to hide or cover up. Done correctly, it helps buyers see the possibilities of the space.

Let buyers see why you fell in love with it!

 

 

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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for Houston & Harris Counties
and
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Comments (23)

Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I think quite a few people have the misconception that staging is done to hide flaws. But then... quite a few people have misconceptions about a whole lot of things.

Jun 17, 2017 08:08 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I find homes with soe personal pictures sell faster than those with generic ones

Jun 17, 2017 08:51 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Staging as  you point out is not the way to "beg forgiveness for flawa" it is an invitation to put your best house forward.

Jun 18, 2017 12:36 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have heard of some of these myths. Thanks for the post. 

Jun 18, 2017 02:22 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Kathy.  When we get back home on Wednesday, our looking is going to go up a notch or two.  I'm ready, the wife is ready... Our home will be staged for sure

Jun 18, 2017 03:27 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I was showing a place once and it had a throw rug in a strange place, and it wasn't even with the furniture. We lifted it up, and yes, you guessed it - it was hiding damaged flooring. As you indicated, hiding issues is not a great idea.

Jun 18, 2017 04:01 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Love these, Kathy. At some point those rugs will be moved out and the buyer will see the problem. I sell my fair share of vacant homes which are not staged... but they are impeccable in terms of condition. As I tell sellers, when the home is vacant there's nothing to focus on besides floors and walls... so they better be looking great.

Jun 18, 2017 04:48 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Some of those seem like common sense, but it is funny that a Seller would think they could cover up a flaw and get away with it.

Jun 18, 2017 06:23 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I agree with Brian too...I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Jun 18, 2017 06:50 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Kathy -- you might be able to hide a problem in the short term but sooner or later it will be revealed.   People will always wonder what else is being hid.   Not a smart(or honest) way to approach the process.   

Jun 18, 2017 07:07 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy

You've shared some wise advice here for those who need help with making their homes look their best but haven't a clue how to do that. Trying to hide a problem is never the right approach - it will backfire and create a bigger issue...mistrust.

Jeff

Jun 18, 2017 07:46 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Vadim Zolotarevskiy I know what you mean and it's such a hard choice...ocean view or tv view. You have to figure out how you're going to use the space...what's practical.

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® you're so right! A flipper wanted me to bring in a huge rug for the master bedroom to hide the discolored flooring that had been laid.

Jun 18, 2017 05:53 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Exactly LLoyd Nichols Buyers are wise.  Even during the showing, they may just lift your rug to see what's there!

Marte Cliff you could not be more right! People still think agents drive around looking at houses all day, and stagers move furniture around.

Jun 18, 2017 05:55 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

William Feela the fake ones look just like that..fake.

Sally K. & David L. Hanson I could not have said it better! 

Gita Bantwal I'm sure there are more!!!  Thanks for stopping by.

Jun 18, 2017 06:00 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

James Dray Didn't you move recently???  Let me know if I can help with the staging. (send pics)

Kat Palmiotti isn't it funny when they do that! You have to wonder what they think they're getting away with.

Jun 18, 2017 06:04 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nina Hollander absolutely! I've seen some good MLS photos of vacant homes. And yes, if they're vacant they need to be in impeccable condition.

Brian England oh yes.  One seller wanted to know if they could keep the door shut to their junk room.

Jun 18, 2017 06:10 PM
Brian England

If people must have storage at their home, I will tell them to use the garage.

Jun 19, 2017 06:40 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR® I wonder if they forget that there will be an inspection and these things come out.

Precisely Michael Jacobs during my consulations, I let sellers know that buyers will look, and they'll open closets, drawers and cabinets!

 

Jun 18, 2017 06:12 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jeff Dowler and then what happens is that they're only focused on that and nothing else.

Jun 18, 2017 06:12 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

There is so much misunderstanding surrounding staging. Great myth busters here Kathy!

Staging isn’t meant to hide or cover up. Done correctly, it helps buyers see the possibilities of the space.

Jun 19, 2017 05:27 AM
Vadim Zolotarevskiy
FunCoast Realty & Management, LLC - Daytona Beach Shores, FL

I tend to agree with Sharon. After all, there is such as intent. You may wantto fool buyer, or educate. What we bring iswhat we get

Jul 04, 2017 08:59 PM