Home Staging Tip: Pull Back The Curtain - Don't Hide It, Fix It

 

When preparing a home for sale it's important to remember that buyers tend to be suspicious...and for very good reason.

Too often sellers try to hide the negative aspects of their house.

I've actually heard real estate agents, who should know better, suggest hiding things...

cover a damaged floor with a throw rug...

place a large piece of furniture in front of a damaged wall.

It is not only ethically wrong to try and hide things from buyers, it's not at all practical.

If there is damage of any kind, and you try to hide it, it won't stay hidden for long. 

 

 

 

Honesty is the best policy. If you don't fix it, don't hide it.

From a Home Staging standpoint...fixing it is by far the best choice.

 

Worn floors or carpet, very old appliances, dirty, faded and/or damaged walls, broken or missing trim, dated plumbing or electrical fixtures....all examples of things that should be addressed PRIOR to listing.

Buyers not only see these needed improvements as an expense, they see them as a huge inconvenience.

A more important thing to consider: these items are a giant red flag to buyers that the house has been poorly maintained. If they believe the house has not been cared for, their perceived value of the house drops considerably.

If any offers are made, cost of improvement will be a factor.

Buyers' estimate of cost will always be two to three times the actual cost of improvement.

 

Making all improvements PRIOR to listing

results in a faster and more profitable sale.

 

Since we are talking about hiding things...

It is human nature to want to see behind the curtain.

We are drawn to things we think are being intentionally hidden from us. 

As a home stager I've always suggested that my sellers should pull back the curtain.

Shower curtain, that is.

It has been my experience that most sellers, and real estate agents, pull the shower curtain closed. Sometimes it's because the tub and/or tile is not in the best condition, sometimes it's just habit. 

 

I tell my sellers to clean the tub and tile spotless, remove all grooming products and

 keep the shower curtain open...pulled to one side.

 

Human nature...closed curtain triggers curiosity. Open curtain and buyers will concentrate on the room and not the tub.

Also...closing the curtain will usually make the room feel smaller. It's like creating a wall where there shouldn't be one.

 

Inspired by:  Windows Speak Louder Than Words  Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP 

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