What does your body language tell you about a home?
Becoming an expert in home staging just might mean becoming an expert at certain aspects of understanding body language. Over the years I’ve found some interesting things that are completely subconscious, but if you learn to pay attention to them, you will find your body telling you what’s working, or not working, in a home.
Learning to listen to what your body tells you about a home.
Instinctively our body reacts to our surroundings. When we go into a home that is crowded our body will try to make itself smaller. You may find you pulling your arms or shoulders in. If there are multiple people in a room, they’ll automatically move closer to each other or file into a line. When you walk into a room that is spacious and open, our bodies will relax and open up. People will spread out. If you are really in tune with your body, you may also find your body responding when looking at photos of rooms. Next time you log in to MLS, notice the way your body, particularly your face, eyes, arms, shoulders, chest, and feet respond to photos. Do the muscles tighten or relax?
What is your physical response to this before photo? Where did your eye go?
Did your breathing or body language shift?
Subtle differences can create powerfully different experiences.
When you understand that buyers literally mean the house just doesn’t feel right, it is easier to overcome the issues. Professional home stagers, like those at Home Matters are trained to understand the subtle cues that the home, and the furnishings in the home, give off to buyers.
How did you respond to this photo. Where did your eye go?
Did you find yourself taking a breath or relaxing?
Home staging isn’t about adding furniture, art, and accessories, or even just removing them in occupied homes. It is about understanding the signals that cause buyers to want to live in a home, or not live in a home. Once we know what they are, we can help overcome any issues and create an atmosphere that buyers love.
