'I'm a home stager - these three mistakes are devaluing your home and deterring buyers'

CEO of ThePropertyStagers, Liv Conlon, has shared three features that could devalue your property without you realising.

Liv furnishes more than 300 homes a year and is the go-to person for making homes more appealing to potential buyers.

She told Express.co.uk: “In the realm of real estate, maintaining and enhancing property value is paramount for homeowners.

"While factors like location and market trends play significant roles, the condition and presentation of your home - both inside and out - can profoundly impact its resale value. Let’s break down three mistakes I see as a home stager every day."

1. Neglecting maintenance

Nothing will put off a buyer more than than overgrown shrubbery, cracked pathways, and chipped paint on the exterior walls, according to the expert.

Liv said a lack of maintenance can diminish the charm of your home and your property's perceived value. She said: "Neglecting routine maintenance tasks not only detracts from your home's curb appeal but also signals potential underlying issues to savvy buyers.

"In the interior, deferred maintenance manifests as scuffed paintwork, peeling wallpaper, and worn-out flooring. These seemingly minor flaws can snowball into major deterrents for potential buyers, prompting concerns about the overall condition and upkeep of the property.

"Furthermore, neglecting regular maintenance can lead to costly repairs down the line, exacerbating the depreciation of your home's value."

Liv's solution:

The property expert suggested adopting a protective approach to maintenance by scheduling regular inspections and addressing issues quickly. If you've got a large outdoor space or a garden that requires lots of maintenance, invest in landscaping services to ensure your garden stays well-manicured.

Prioritising maintenance will help preserve your home's value and enhance its appeal.

However, Liv also said there are ways to stage your home to detract from certain flaws. She said: "As home stagers, we can often work our magic on a home that needs a little TLC when we furnish and stage the space.

"A large piece of furniture such as a sofa or a bed or rug can be placed over any imperfections in the flooring, artwork can be hung over any marks on the wall, and overall staging detracts the potential buyer (or surveyor) eye from nitpicking every single small issue."

2. Neutral decor

Your home will likely reflect your personal style and preferences, however, when it comes to resale value, having a balance between personalisation and broad appeal is crucial.

Bold paint colours, eclectic decor and niche themes can "alienate potential buyers" who will be able to envision their personal possessions and furniture more effectively with a blank canvas.

Excessive personalisation can include built-in

shelving tailored to a collection of rare books or a themed room dedicated to a niche hobby.

These features may suit you but they can limit the universal appeal of your property. Liv added: "The photos of you and your family on display; whilst they may evoke happy memories for you, they prevent the potential buyer being able to imagine their own family portraits in their place, and if they can’t imagine a life in this property, then they won’t buy.

"Similarly, in the garden, overly customised landscaping choices, such as intricate topiaries or specialised plantings, can create maintenance burdens for future homeowners or clash with their preferred outdoor style.

"Additionally, features like elaborate water features or overly ornate structures may not align with the tastes of a broader range of buyers."

Liv's solution:

Liv suggested opting for timeless and simple furniture pieces that have clean lines. She also suggested choosing neutral colours. Pops of colour can then be added with soft furnishings and accessories.

Personal items can be swapped with accessories such as glass vases, large statement bowls and photo frames without the personal image.

In the garden, declutter pots and plants and choose plain neutral plant pots spaced evenly around the garden. If your garden is sparse, add interest by adding low-effort, high-impact plants.

3. Chaotic layout

A good flow is essential when entering a home. The hallway needs to effortlessly flow into the lounge or dining room, for example.

Liv added: "Your home has to have flow and cohesiveness for a potential buyer to buy all into the full image."

Liv's solution:

Choosing one colour palette will make your home feel more cohesive. Liv explained: "When we stage a property for sale, we choose a singular colour as our leading colour, we’ll use this hue in every room throughout the artwork, soft furnishings, rugs and statement furniture pieces.

"We’ll often add some complementary or contrasting colours throughout the rooms to create a differentiation but to create a flow, not a hard jolt of surprise when entering the next room."

Liv also suggested choosing one style and sticking to it. Kitchen design is also key. For example, if you have a modern kitchen, reflect this throughout your furniture and styling.

If you have a traditional-style kitchen, consider more formal, country-style furniture pieces.

Atmospheric lighting throughout your home will also help to create a warm, cosy ambience.