This month I thought I would uncover the most common 12 mistakes I see sellers make when showcasing their homes.  Let's begin...

 

1. Too many scatter rugs - often times they detract from the beautiful floors that lie beneath them, and they don't stay in place.  Don't hide your assets; hardwood, tile, and marble are all moneymakers!

 

2. Toilet rugs/toilet seat covers - they serve no real purpose and can look very dated.  Better to have one rug near the shower/tub for safety while adding some color to the space.

 

3. Lackluster curb appeal - you need to get people interested in the outside of your home in order to get them inside.  Replacing a doormat, sweeping the entry, repairing chipped paint, replacing burnt bulbs in outdoor fixtures, sealcoating the driveway and removing planters housing dead plants are all easy fixes that can boost the appeal to house hunters.

 

4. Calendars and personal papers hung on the wall - these need to go away when marketing the home for sale; you do not want to leave any clues about your personal business and it's not considered shabby chic.

 

5. Untamed wires and cords surrounding electronic equipment  - such as TVs, stereos, computers, office machines.  These should be hidden and neatly bundled out of sight.

 

6. Spotted mirrors in the bathroom - this part of the home needs to sparkle to outshine the competition.

 

7. Dingy sinks and faucets - pay special attention to these items.  There is money in the details!  Tending to small items can have big impact.

 

8. Cabinet overload - many of us are guilty of this, however when selling your home it is best to minimize the contents of your drawers and cabinets.  Throw away any out of date food items, store like items together, etc.

 

9. Lack of proper lighting - it is recommended that each room have 3 sources of light.  This can be 2 lamps and one floor lamp; 2 lamps and one ceiling fixture, etc.  Let the buyers see what they are buying.  Light and bright sells homes.

 

10.  Worn out toilet seats - spend $14.99 at Home Depot or Lowes and you're done.  It's a small thing but it says that the home has been well cared for.

 

11. Tub Toy Invasion - all kiddie bath toys need to be tucked away for showings.  This improves the appearance of any bath/shower area and let's the buyer see the space for what it is, without all the clutter.

 

12.  Oven check - I often see that people use their ovens for storage, which sends a message to the potential buyer that their is not enough storage for kitchen items.  A double whammy is an oven that is dirty and crammed with stuff.  Clear it out, pack the items, and clean it for your open house. 

 

Studies show that when agents were polled across the USA, it was estimated that only 28% of sellers used real estate staging as part of their marketing plan.  Staging your property and avoiding these pitfalls can give you a major advantage over your competition.  And in this market, you need to go the extra mile when prepping to sell.  All the precious time and effort put forth will be well worth it on closing day!