Emotions can be tricky to manage when you’re in the mood to buy a home. Falling in love can lead you to pay too much or suffer a broken heart when someone else wins the deal.
Conversely, viewing a property without any emotion may lead you to miss out on homes that are ideal for your needs. So, you need balance and an open mind.
With the property market starting to rebalance after two years of record price growth, many sellers are going the extra mile to ensure their home achieves a top-dollar sales result.
A common seller strategy is to professionally stage a home with rented furniture and decor items.
As a buyer, this gives you a great opportunity to view the property in its best light, without the clutter of everyday living. But if you want to buy the right home for you, it is also important to look beyond the magazine picture perfection.
Here are some tips to help you look at properties realistically.
Fresh look
A freshly painted home can hide many issues, such as a leaking roof or previous water damage. Eventually, those brown stains will seep through the paintwork. When booking a building inspection, alert your contractor to the fact the home is freshly painted.
Mirrors and art
Nothing is placed in a staged home without a reason. Art can give a room an attractive focal point and mirrors can reflect light, creating the impression of space. So look beyond these and check you are not being distracted from the room’s size or shape.
It’s curtains
Big drapes look lovely, but they also may hide issues with window frames. So, make sure you check for signs of weather degradation and the status of the frames.
Sparse furnishings
Styling with less furniture can make a room appear larger, but ask yourself whether you could live in a home with space for just three wicker chairs.
Tiny sofa
Undersized furniture is another strategy to create the impression of space. So think about whether your sofa would fit in the living room that has been furnished with a two-seater.
Lots of rugs
While they add color and atmosphere to a room, they can also hide stains on the carpet or a damaged wooden floor, so don’t be afraid to take a look underneath this dressing.
Office conversion
If a bedroom is small it is sometimes dressed as a home office instead. So if you want to use this room as a bedroom, check whether a bed and other furniture will fit.