5 Staging Mistakes That Can Cost You a Sale

If you’re trying to sell your house in NYC’s current sales market you’re probably already faced with a lot of competition – not only are there tons of new luxury condos out there, but more and more sellers are raising the bar by getting creative and marketing their property on social media and other platforms.

That’s why apartment staging has become imperative in NYC. “Staging” refers to giving your property the best possible look without having any distractions in order to allow buyers to see its full potential. You can do the apartment staging with a professional or try it yourself, but either way, make sure to avoid the common errors that make your staging look less than perfect. Here are 5 pitfalls to remember before diving into it!

The one-size-fits-all approach

Your property should stand out from the crowd, so skip the one-size-fits-all approach. Buyers are probably seeing the same style of staging (beige couch, cream rug, and black art) all the time – giving them style fatigue! 

So you should be strategic in your staging. Get a glimpse of the interior styles of what else is for sale in your building or neighborhood and create something unique – whether in art, pops of colors, or different finishes. Your apartment should always be more inviting and inspiring than others. Of course, the atmosphere you’re creating should appeal to a broad audience, but it’s okay to take some design risks to prevent it from being too generic.

Skipping the essentials

The universal style of staging is – and will always be – “clean, fresh, and bright”. Buyers love a property that is move-in ready and they’ll start asking for price cuts as soon as they see any wear & tear in and around the house. 

Paint the walls, polish or refinish hardwood floors, replace carpeting, and clean every little bit of your home including the windows. You should also handle all repairs like replacing a broken doorknob or fixing the leaky sink. Lastly, don’t forget about cleaning up any outdoor spaces.

Color misconceptions

To attract buyers, it’s best to stick with one of the countless shades of white or gray and stay away from the darker colors. But, to prevent your interior from looking too sterile, incorporate some color accents and patterns that draw attention. Earthy colors are always a good idea. As long as the accent colors aren’t too bright (neon) or too soft (pastels), you can’t really go wrong with them.

Inadequate lighting 

Proper lighting might be one of the most important staging aspects but many people seem to forget about it. Lights can have a huge impact on every space of your property. They can be used in a spacious room to create intimacy or, combined with one or two mirrors, they can be used to maximize a room.

With the right lighting, you can give your home a cozy, bright feeling. Use lights to spotlight artwork or to emphasize other good-looking furniture pieces (and make sure to swap LED for warmer light bulbs). 

Too much clutter

Since you need to pack your belongings anyway, why not pre-pack a little once your property is on the market? Declutter your home by removing some personal and small items, but definitely don’t remove all of them (as empty surfaces can come off as too cold). Strive for a balance between too much clutter and not enough.

With the top staging mistakes in mind, you can now start staging your own property. But if you need help getting it on the market, click here or call 646.681.5272 with your questions to speak with an agent from Platinum Properties! We’re standing by to help you through every step of the real estate process, whether selling or buying a home, guiding your rental search, or anything in between.