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THE INTERVIEW ~ WHAT THE HOME IS SAYING

By
Home Stager with New View Home Staging ~ www.newviewhomestaging.ca

I often wonder if sellers realize all the personal information their home is giving away and that some buyers may turned off because of it?   This can be a hard conversation to have because just talking about it could indicate you personally are turned off too, however the risk of losing a potential buyer over of a negative emotional response is far worse.   We all know the taboo topics in daily conversation ~ sex, religion and politics ~ and we need to consider that these may come up unintentionally while selling a home.  If you've raised teenagers you understand already, but some keep mementos and photos of "good times" and their choice of accessories and poster art is sometimes "questionable". 
 
Teenagers are just an example.  You can also look to the books stacked beside beds or around living areas and they usually tell a clear story of the people that live there.  If the buyer can't connect with the space because their personal beliefs are so different, then either the offer will reflect this or there won't be an offer at all. 
 
A way to discuss this tactfully would be to remind your sellers that this is their home's job interview...they need to prepare for their home's interview with the same frame of mind as if they are attending one themselves.   
 
Here's my plug, which of course you knew was coming ... hiring a home stager to work with the seller and handle tricky conversations such as these will protect your client relationship!

New View Home Staging is a full service home staging and property styling company.   We offer effective, attractive and affordable solutions for preparing a property for a quick and profitable sale.  Consultations with written reports include curb appeal, space management and flow, lighting, de-personalizing, neutralizing, and colours, and all projects can be tailored to fit every budget.
 
Christine Bird, owner and lead stager, is a Certified Canadian Staging Professional.   

www.newviewhomestaging.ca

christine@newviewhomestaging.ca

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Christine Bird, owner of New View Home Staging, is a Certified Staging Professional, instructor of the CSP Elite Affililate designation for Realtors and the CSP 3-day core program for new stagers entering the profession.  She is regularly published in her local Kitchener-Waterloo market, and is the 2011 RESA Canadian Rookie Stager of the Year. 

Comments (4)

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

You are right on target. De-personalizng a property can go a long way toward showing its best qualities.

Aug 25, 2009 12:11 AM
Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

Well I really like that approach of the interview. Thanks I think I will use it in my listing presentations.

Aug 25, 2009 12:12 AM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

You're right, Chris. I'm certainly not "New Age" but I think that a space will sometimes have a certain energy and sometimes it's negative. Sometimes there's just something indefinable that makes you feel uncomfartable and you just want to get out of there. It could be items such as books or posters that are in opposition to one's own beliefs so you create the negative energy yourself. You made a good point and it's one that I wouldn't have thought of. Thanks!

Aug 25, 2009 12:19 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Christine, I too like that analogy to the job interview. People want to put their best foot forward and they need to do the same with their homes when they are up for sale! 

Aug 25, 2009 12:28 AM