8 Ways to Emotionally Connect to Your Buyers

December 3, 2017

Buying a home is always an emotional experience. Buyers use logic to decide on what they need as far as function is concerned (ideal number of bedrooms, workable size of the house), but when it comes to the final decision, your buyer’s emotions will always come into play.

That is why showcasing and staging a home for sale is more than furniture placement or the perfect wall color, home staging is about tapping on the emotions of your buyers to motivate them to buy. Here are some helpful tips.

1. Stage it, Don’t Decorate it

One woman’s dream home might be a mid-century modern, while another’s includes all the charm of a classic Victorian home. Decorating is mostly personal preference, more of a personal style, which can be a problem for buyers. Home staging is more than decorating it is both art and science. It is a marketing technique that focuses on what your buyers are looking for in a home, then realized through proper merchandising and staging to motivate buyers to buy.

2. Practice Restraint

When using art, don’t fill every wall. Have some “negative space” to give the eye a place to rest. Restraint calms the eye and gives everything a sense of purpose. A blank wall is a great way to increase anticipation, it keeps the buyers interested, and keeps them longing for more.

3. Lighting is Important

“Light” and “bright” are keywords that describe what most home buyers are looking for their next home.  To achieve a well-lit room, you need natural light, layered with other light sources (floor lamps, table lamps, pendant lights, reading light, etc.). Together, it creates a positive feel and a feeling of warmth to any room which is important when showcasing your home for sale.

4. Set the Mood

If you have a gas fireplace, turning it on right before your house showing can give the house a little ambiance. Make sure your thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature for buyers to linger, stay, and appreciate the warmth and comfort of your home

5. Add a Splash of Colour

Every color can bring in a certain feeling; it can bring in calmness, relaxation, the right energy or cheer needed to connect with buyers when showcasing your home for sale.  A pop of color can create just the right amount of personality and style. It is one of the most important tools in home staging. Oh, and it looks great on your listing photos too!

6. Accessories are a Must

When you ‘ve done everything, and it feels like something is missing, this means it’s time to accessorize and add more details to pretty it up to achieve that magazine worthy look that your buyers wanted. These small details make a big difference when buyers are browsing your home. Accessories may be defined as non-essentials, but they are a must in any room.

7. Focus on Function

Each room should have a clear purpose for buyers. The staging should work as a real-life instruction manual for them on how to maximize space and function of the whole house.  There shouldn’t be a question of where the TV should go? Or will my full sofa fit in the space for example.

8. Lastly, Allow Your Buyers to Mentally Move In

Remove anything that can ruin the “moment”. Your personal stuff, your family photos, pet photos etc. These are distractions that can throw your buyers off. If your buyers cannot see themselves living in your home, then you’ve lost them.

 

RED BARRINUEVO

Toronto-based, award-winning Interior Stylist, Red Barrinuevo is an Interior Decorator and Principal Designer of Redesign4more Inc., servicing clients in Toronto and the GTA. The firm’s known for enhancing and creating stylish yet functional spaces through their creative home staging, interior styling, and design services. To know more about Red and Redesign4more, visit www.redesign4more.com.