Don’t Be Fooled by a Picture-Perfect Home: How to Look Past the Staging

It’s easy to fall in love with a house that looks straight out of a magazine—perfectly staged, with matching colors, carefully chosen decor, and everything looking just right. But here’s the thing: don’t be fooled by those really pretty houses. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s important to know that the way a home is presented might not reflect the true potential of the space once the furniture is gone. Here’s how to keep your focus and make sure the home you fall for is the right one for you.

The Danger of Beautifully Staged Homes

We’ve all seen them: homes that look stunning in photos and even more so in person. The furniture is perfectly arranged, the colors are harmonious, and the layout just feels right. It’s easy to get caught up in how beautiful a home looks and forget to think about how it will feel once you move in and unpack your own belongings.

I’ve seen situations where buyers fell in love with a home that was beautifully staged, only to move in and realize that their own furniture and decor just didn’t quite fit. The colors didn’t match, and the layout wasn’t as functional as they imagined. The home was sold to them based on the aesthetics of someone else’s design, not how the space would work for them personally.

Statistically, Staged Homes Sell for More, But Look Past the Decor

It’s true that homes that are beautifully staged tend to sell faster and for more money. Sellers know that staging a home helps buyers visualize the potential of the space, but as a buyer, it’s important to keep your emotions in check. Don’t get too caught up in how it looks right now. Instead, ask yourself: Does my stuff work in this house?

Take a step back and really think about how your furniture, colors, and belongings will fit into the space. Can you picture your lifestyle in this home, or is it more about the way the current owner’s things made it feel?

An Option for Buyers with the Budget: Make an Offer on the Furniture

If you really love the way the home is furnished and want to keep some or all of the pieces, here’s an option: You can make an offer to purchase the furniture separately. If it fits into your budget, you could negotiate with the seller to include the furniture in the sale. Whether you want to buy it as part of the purchase price or outside of escrow, it’s something to consider if you’re really attached to the way the house is styled.

However, keep in mind that this will need to be handled carefully, and the appraisal must come in at the agreed price for the transaction to move forward.

Look Beyond the Aesthetics

Ultimately, while a beautifully staged home can certainly impress, it’s important to look beyond the decor. Focus on the layout, the flow of the space, and how it fits your needs. Your furniture and style might be different from the seller’s, and that’s okay! What matters is that the home works for you in terms of its size, functionality, and long-term potential.

In The End…

Don’t be distracted by the beauty of a home’s staging. Keep your eyes open and focus on what truly matters—how the house fits into your life, how your furniture will fit in the space, and whether the home will meet your needs in the long run. Once the seller’s furniture is gone, you should still be able to see the potential of the home for yourself.