5 Ways to Help Buyers See Themselves in the House

Todd Talbot has no use for clutter, broken fixtures, odd smells or anything that can turn a showing into a disaster.

As co-host of “Love It or List It Vancouver” – a spinoff of the popular W Network program “Love It or List It” that airs in the U.S. as “Love It or List It, Too” on HGTV – Talbot is charged with finding the show’s participants a house they’ll choose over their current one. Sounds simple, right? Well, the twist is that an interior decorator – co-host Jillian Harris – is also on the scene, improving the family’s home based on their wish list. Ultimately, the owners must decide whether they love their newly upgraded home or want to list it and buy one that Talbot finds.

It can be mighty tempting to stay put. So Talbot has to locate a listing that looks great, feels great and generates the sort of “we should live here” vibe every buyer wants – and deserves – to experience.

Talbot, who joined RE/MAX Masters Realty in West Vancouver, British Columbia, last year, offers these staging tips for agents interested in making their listings irresistible.

1. Fix the little things first.
Help the homeowners identify any minor renovations that need to be done, and set a timeline for completion. Addressing small fixes before potential buyers see the property increases the odds of a great first impression.

2. Depersonalize, don’t sterilize.
We all advise sellers to depersonalize the home so that potential buyers can picture themselves in the property, but don’t let them go too far and make the space seem sterile. You don’t have to pretend kids don’t live there; you just don’t want people tripping over toys.

3. Address the drawbacks, but focus on the positives.
Resist the urge to mask or gloss over problems or undesirable features. After all, everything will be revealed at some point. So roll up the blinds, show them the view – even if it isn’t that great – and move on to highlight the home’s better features.

4. Think beyond print.
Insert punches of color and accents with items that can be changed easily, like pillows, flowers, light fixtures or throws. When supported by neutral backgrounds of whites and grays, these small touches go a long way toward livening up a room.

5. Use layers to add depth.
One of the biggest traps of staging is that the result is too sparse. Achieve an inviting, lived-in feeling by layering items and textures. Whether it’s a shaggy throw rug on a hardwood floor or a contemporary leather couch on carpet, different materials add depth and warmth to a space.