Happy International Sceptics Day!
We couldn’t have asked for a better occasion to tackle this topic head on and clear some industry misconceptions once and for all.
Don’t get us wrong, we have nothing against healthy scepticism as such (keyword: ‘healthy’). In fact, it is completely normal to be a little cynical at first, especially when you are facing a brand-new concept.
But similar to the legal principle ‘guilty until proven innocent’, we like to think of sceptics as ‘doubtful until proven otherwise’.
Let’s get straight into some of the most common misbeliefs about Home Staging.
1. People Go to Open Houses With a Tape Measure.
If we had a dollar for every time we heard that!
Look. Let us explain why this is simply not true.
People who to go open houses are at various stages of their home-buying journey. Some have just started looking, others may have been searching for months. Yet regardless of their circumstances, they all came to the open home for one reason and one reason only.
To get a feel of the house.
Can they see themselves living in it? Does the property suit the vision of their lifestyle? Does it feel right? As you can see, in most cases the emotional thoughts override logic and rational thinking.
Oh and the tape measure? That does not even come out until the house is sold.
2. Buyers Want to See Empty Rooms
What people really want to see is the actual size of the area, which is why it is important to stage.
Furnishing the rooms can showcase the true potential of the space, taking any guesswork out for the buyers.
Unless the person is an industry expert, chances are they are not going to be able to estimate if the space fits a 2-seater or a 3-seater sofa until they see it for themselves.
Another thing to consider is that an empty “box” is far less likely to evoke any feelings or emotional connection to the house, which is the biggest decision-making factor for most people.
To prove our point, have a look at these two rooms Before and After staging. What do you think – empty or furnished?
Living Room
Bedroom
3. Nobody Cares About “the Fluff”
Having styled hundreds and hundreds of houses, we will say this out loud with full confidence – “Fluff” is exactly what sells.
The thing is, you only get one chance to create a good first impression and the buyers need only 10 seconds to decide how they feel about your house.
This is when all the ‘allegedly trivial’ décor like cushions, accessories and artwork come to play in enhancing the overall impression of the space. They may not be the first thing that people see, but they are significantly influencing the way they feel. Whether it’s done consciously or subconsciously.
“Details create the big picture.” – Sanford I. Weill
4. I Can Do It Myself
Oftentimes people mistake home decorating & home staging.
While they may sound similar in concept, they are fundamentally different in execution, aesthetics and desired outcome.
Decorating a house is a subjective matter, appealing to personal taste.
Staging a house on the other hand is about showcasing the property in its best light, making it attractive to as many potential buyers as possible.
For home staging to be effective, you need to de-clutter and de-personalise the space.
This may sound simple in theory, but sellers find it difficult to de-personalise their own personal space. This is when it’s not only beneficial, but essential to get an uninvolved third-party in – someone who will look at the property with fresh eyes.
5. Home Staging Does Not Work
Well, lucky for you – we have done an objective research to answer this age-old question truthfully and honestly.
Interested to know the answer? Have a read here. It’s a fun read, we promise.
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