I’m a Home Staging Expert: Watch Out for These 5 Red Flags When You’re Buying a Home
Almost every home buyer has experienced this: You walk into a new space and take in a beautifully staged environment, getting you thinking about what it would be like to live there. Beholding how small the sofa and loveseat seem, you imagine spacious quarters, perfect for entertaining friends or just enjoying a night to yourself.
However, once you’ve moved in and got your couch, you suddenly discover that your new living room isn’t as big as anticipated. In fact, it’s actually smaller. Much, much smaller. Enough to give you some buyer’s remorse, rethinking your investment.
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Now that you think of it, maybe that sofa and loveseat were smaller than they first appeared — adding size and depth to the room that wouldn’t be there otherwise. Unfortunately, this use of staging to give a false impression isn’t exactly uncommon.
According to home design experts, there are some staging red flags you should look out for as you look for your next new home. GOBankingRates talked to Illaria Barion, owner and principal of Barion Design, a bespoke virtual home staging company, to help you pick out these red flags.
Overpowering Scents and Sound
If you walk into a home and immediately inhale a strong scent of air fresheners, candles or room spray, the current owners might just love heavy floral smells. Or they might be trying to conceal underlying odors like mildew, smoke, or pet musk.
Barion adds that scent isn’t the only way homeowners may conceal unpleasant realities.
“Similarly, playing music during a showing can set a pleasant ambiance but may also be used to mask unwanted noise from traffic or neighbors,” she said.
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Furniture Size
According to Barion, another common staging trick involves using smaller pieces of furniture, including small or oddly shaped beds, to make rooms look much larger than they actually are. She said that this is a particularly misleading tactic that doesn’t represent the actual living space.
Fortunately, there are some ways to protect yourself against this tactic.
“When viewing a staged home, consider the scale of the furniture in relation to your own, or ask for room measurements to ensure your furniture will fit comfortably,” Barion said.
Cover Ups for Serious Damage
While you might be charmed by a particular piece of artwork or a pattern on a rug, it could be a pretty ruse to shield some serious issues like structural damage, water problems or mold. Barion advised remaining vigilant about strategically placed items like rugs or artwork and giving them a closer inspection.
She added that quick, cosmetic fixes like a new coat of pain in specific areas, or the use of caulk and new grout, can create the illusion that something has been repaired — when, in reality, it’s a cover-up for a major issue that will persist after you’ve taken the keys.
Window Treatments
Sometimes, window coverings are meant to shield you from the sun’s glare. But other times, sunshine isn’t all they’re concealing. In addition to structural issues with a window, you might find a decidedly unappealing view.
Barion advised always checking what is underneath curtains or blinds to ensure that you’re not dealing with cracked glass, poor insulation, or outdated frames since the quality and condition of your windows are critical for energy efficiency and noise insulation.
“During your home inspection, make sure that windows are on your checklist for a close examination,” she said.
Strategic Lighting
When touring a new home for the first time, don’t let the light play tricks on you, hiding chips and streaks and other problems in the paint, floors and walls.
“Intense or cleverly placed lighting might be used to enhance the appearance of rooms or distract from defects in paint, floors, or walls,” said Barion.
She added that awareness of how homes can be strategically staged to cover up potential issues will help you make a more informed decision.
“When examining a staged home, it is advisable to look beyond the décor and assess the fundamental aspects and potential issues of the home,” Barion said. “Always consider a thorough inspection to ensure that hidden problems are not overlooked.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Home Staging Expert: Watch Out for These 5 Red Flags When You’re Buying a Home
