Have you recently put your property on the market or are thinking about selling your home in the near future? With buying and selling activity exceeding historical levels, how can you stand out with just a little bit of work? Check out advice from home stagers about undesirable features that could turn away prospective home buyers, and replace them with strategies that will increase the chances of selling your home.

CLUTTER HAS NO PLACE

Crowded rooms not only look less visually appealing, they can also give off the impression that cleanliness and hygiene are not prioritized. Be consistent throughout the home; just because one rooom looks magnificently put together, it will be altogether forgotten when your home buyers stumble upon the disorganization across the hall. Even with spaces that are less commonly accessed or out of sight, buyers may form their own judgments based off of first impressions and assume that what's present in one room extends to the rest.

MOULD IS A RED FLAG

No matter how beuatiful the rest of the home is, or how impeccably it's been staged, the smallest signs of damp stains, stained ceilings, or crumbling plaster work can easily turn a prospective buyer away. Apart from the fact that it's visually unappealing, this also signals potential problems down the line and a more expensive investment than what might have been envisioned.

OVERGROWN GARDENS NEED SOME WORK

Landscaping, yardwork, and garden maintenance can take up a lot of your attention, particularly if you have a sizeable property. Gardens surrounding the home itself form a significant part of first impressions, which can negatively downplay your chances of selling if the buyer is already turned off by knee-high weeds or the leaves stuck to their shirt. A well-kept exterior does an amazing job of signalling to buyers that the interior is just as likely to be equally well cared for.

If you're thinking of selling, the bottom line is to put yourself in a potential buyer's shoes, and think about what would put you most at ease and most willing to commit to a large investment.