Common mistakes home sellers make when staging their homes.
Are you preparing to sell your home? Getting your home ready for sale involves a lot of work, but knowing what to do and what to avoid can help you sell quickly and for the best price. Today, I will share three common mistakes sellers should avoid when preparing for showings:
Mistake 1: Not depersonalizing your home. It’s best to remove any personal items, family photos, or name signs in your kids’ rooms. These should all be taken down for privacy and security reasons. Showings are open to strangers, and you don’t want to display any personal information that someone could pick up on. When dealing with your family’s safety, it’s best to be cautious. Don’t worry—this won’t affect your home sale in any way. In fact, this will also enhance the neutrality of the space that appeals to more buyers.
Mistake 2: Covering the floors. It’s not a good idea to cover floors or carpets or require buyers to remove their footwear before entering the property. I understand that you don’t want your home to get dirty while selling it, but making this a requirement can be a liability if someone trips and injures themselves. You need to view your home as an asset or an investment. Most visitors viewing homes and attending open houses are respectful and usually remove their shoes without being asked. When I show up, I take off my shoes, and that’s a good hint for others to do the same.
Mistake 3: Not leaving for showings. Finally, you should not be present during open houses and showings. Most buyers feel uncomfortable when the home seller is present, and we want buyers to feel comfortable when viewing the house, to make that emotional connection, and to be able to have open conversations.
These are just a few things to remember when preparing your home for sale. For a more detailed discussion on selling, feel free to call 914-548-6179 or email ted.holmes@raveis.com. We would be more than happy to help you reach your goals.
