Home Staging: Top 12 Mistakes Realtors Make And Ways To Prevent Them

No understanding of home staging role and value

Home staging is a common tactic used by real estate agents to downplay any existing problems in a house. It’s important to understand that the purpose of staging isn’t to overlook these issues. For a home to sell effectively, it must be repaired and improved.

Therefore, it’s essential for every home to be ready for the stager’s visit, as any potential drawbacks will be evident in photographs.

Failing to explain the benefits of home staging and its procedure

There are people who might not be aware of what home staging is and its ability to significantly enhance a home’s interior. Even if they have heard of these services, they can mistakenly fall for the impressive designs they see in photos or videos, hoping to find those same features in their new home. 

That’s why real estate agents should always make it a point to discuss home staging with their clients and explain how this process takes place to warn about potential issues and outline which items should stay in the property staged.

Ignoring the preparation and the staging process

Realtors need to share all relevant details with the stager to ensure they understand the home’s unique features. It’s beneficial to discuss all aspects of staging and allow the expert to present the home in his personal vision. While it’s good to trust your stager, it’s also important to stay involved in the process.

Staging is undoubtedly a time-consuming task, and not every expert can adhere to deadlines. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor the staging process and offer consistent reminders.

Making an attempt to sell property unstaged

Some clients may not fully understand the advantages of staging, and unfortunately, some realtors don’t make the effort to convince them. The reality is that empty properties tend to stay on the market for 90% longer than those that are staged. A significant mistake that realtors often make is not demonstrating the benefits of staging effectively. This oversight can lead to properties sitting unsold for months or/and forcing price reductions to capture the attention of potential buyers.
Real estate agents ought to collaborate with sellers to showcase the incredible advantages of home staging. This includes highlighting the home’s potential, increasing online interest, and enhancing the property’s overall value.

Compromising the quality of photos

The photographs of low quality have always been a drawback of the real estate job since they are more likely to be neglected. There’s a common belief that such unappealing images are used to cover up imperfections. Just picture how terrible home staging would look if it featured low-quality photos in the background. This is yet another mistake that realtors tend to make.

Many people don’t understand that a stunning, high-quality image is essential for grabbing the attention of potential buyers and making them fall in love with a property. This highlights the importance of using high-resolution photos for home staging, which should be taken with professional equipment like a camera or scanner.

Neglecting quality because of time shortage

Quick doesn’t always mean quality! It’s a bad idea that some realtors rush to finish the home staging process right after taking photos. This fast-paced approach rarely leads to the best results. Top-notch staging services generally require 2-3 weeks, so it’s important to take the time to plan and prepare your marketing strategy before you get those fantastic staged photos. Saving on time and displaying unfinished work can bring about not desired results: your property might chase a competitor with a well-crafted advertising campaign.

Staging home personally without necessary experience

It’s clear that everyone should focus on what they do best. If you’re not a professional designer with expertise in the right software, your chances of producing a quality product are quite low.
Hiring a home stager is a small investment compared to the overall sale price of your property. That’s why it’s best to leave this important job to the professionals. Even if you think you have a good grasp of home staging, resist the urge to cut costs. Trust the experts to ensure you get the best possible outcome.

Advising clients not to stage real estate

There are realtors who hesitate to recommend staging services because they aren’t completely informed about what benefits staging has and how it can help. Some newer agents might tell their clients that a simple decluttering is enough. Unfortunately, this can result in spending money without seeing the expected results.

If someone tells you that staging your home is completely unnecessary, don’t believe it! Modern buyers prioritize quality over price. They’re willing to invest more in a home that truly represents their style rather than saving on costs. This is why having a professional presentation and marketing strategy is so crucial. Staging not only leads to more impressive listings but also boosts sales and increases referrals.

Leaving old furniture

Showing how this home looked like when a seller purchased it

Displaying photos of the furnished room from the previous owners isn’t a great idea either. When potential buyers see those images, they often feel like they’re looking at a foreign space, making it hard for them to envision themselves living there. This is why showcasing old furniture and photos doesn’t align with effective marketing strategies and can actually discourage potential buyers.

Treating real estate as their personal one

Certain realtors find it challenging to regard every new estate solely as a work assignment. They tend to treat these properties like their own, which can compel home stagers to adopt the realtors’ individual interpretation of the home.

Staging all the rooms available in the property

Realtors often make the mistake of staging every room in a house. Buyers typically envision themselves in the areas they will frequent, such as the kitchen and living areas. As a result, staging less frequently used spaces, like guest rooms or offices, may not be necessary since they don’t play a crucial role in the buyer’s final decision.

Summary

Being a real estate agent requires a solid understanding of marketing techniques. Successful sales often depend on well-executed campaigns, including effective home staging. Unfortunately, inexperienced agents or those with a limited perspective can make significant errors. In this article, we’ve compiled the most frequent mistakes made by realtors, with the hope that many will steer clear of them, leading to a better customer experience and boosted sales.