When it comes to basements, everyone wants fresh air without too much moisture or water damage. No one loves basement smells, especially potential buyers who are critiquing every aspect of you home. To avoid the hit-you-in-the-face sudden stench of cellar, clean the carpets and use a dehumidifier. 

Note - One general rule of staging is not to run appliances during showings, so having a dehumidifier exposed is like raising a red flag. Hide them during showings.

When decorating or selling your home, address all five senses.

SIGHT is the primary sense when it comes to interior design. Curb appeal draws the buyer into the home. Sight is constant and obvious when it comes to showing your home. It is easy for a homeowner to overlook things that they live with everyday, but a stager will see your home and its contents objectively through the eyes of a buyer. 

SMELL The most impactful ones are actually negative smells that deter a sale. Animal, garbage, smoke, basement, and food smells should be eliminated. Don’t simply try to mask them, because that raises a red flag and a buyer will wonder what is being covered up. Positive smells are natural like fresh flowers or fruit. 

TOUCH may be the most overlooked of the senses, but keep in mind what a buyer will touch.  They will open doors and cabinets. They will check light switches. They will turn on water. A stager will check all these things first to let you know what needs fixed.

SOUND is important. A buyer looking for a peaceful retreat will not be at ease with a home on a noisy street. Playing soft classical music is a positive way to entice buyers, show off built in home audio systems, or cover minor sounds. It is also important to eliminate the sounds that people associate with maintenance.

TASTE can be seen in a staged home or a magazine advertisement. We’re not talking about decorating with good taste, but the sense of taste. We stage items that appeal to the tastebuds and a lifestyle any buyer would enjoy.