What Did You See?

When you look at a house through pictures, what do you see? Are you invited in and does it make you want to keep looking?  Did you see things that made you cringe? Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes when you are evaluating your own house. If you can’t find the focal point of the room in the first three seconds, you move on to the next room right? Same thing goes if there is too much clutter or outdated colors on the walls.  

Pictures say a thousand words without ever speaking one. It’s all about flow and continuity when a buyer is looking for their next “forever” home. Your house needs to tell a story of how each room “lives”. Instead of just having a “place marker” item dropped randomly in the room, give the room a purpose. Let them see a defined space that shows the functionality of the room. For example, a small undefined space with a few random items appears to be wasted space. If it were set up as an office or sitting room it would show more functional space for living. Try this in every room of your house and you will be amazed how much excess you need to and can remove. If the piece doesn’t serve a purpose in the room, remove it.

Same rule applies for accessories and art. Too many small pieces make your eyes go bonkers! You want just enough fluff to draw the eye into the room, focusing on the features of the room, not your “things”. Art that is hung too high or is too small/large for the space it occupies is a distraction from the room’s purpose. 

Staging helps your house tell a story. It gives definition and purpose to every room. Furniture, art, accessories and rugs should be carefully scaled to make each room feel livable and spacious. It serves to enhance the many positive features of the house and minimize the negatives. Make your buyer fall in love with your home, not out of love because of too much clutter or a house that appears cold and uninviting because it’s too sparse.