Are You a Jammie Pants Home Seller?

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Home : Blogs : Mary Douglas, REALTOR ®, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado : Mary's Blog from Red Feather Lakes, CO

Are You a Jammie Pants Home Seller?

I'll admit I love my flannel jammie pants, they are very comfy; but when I'm going out, they certainly stay at home and I am dressed.

Yesterday, when I went grocery shopping, I was amazed at how many people wear their flannel jammie pants to the store!

There were jammie pants people in the cereal aisle and jammie pants in produce, in fact I probably saw 5 or 6 pair on my shopping excursion and the store was not that crowded.

There are two ways to look at this: "It's terrible, people should really learn to dress for success and look their best no matter where they are going" or the alternative: "Just be who you really are."

In real estate, sellers who are doing their very best to keep their housekeeping up and have their homes in show ready condition at a moments notice are dressed for success.

Sellers who cannot or will not do this are like jammie pants people - they just want the buyer to accept their house for who/what "it really is."

Jammie Pants People, if your home is on the market, you need to dress it for success, price it right and do your part to present it to buyers in the very best light.

I know it's not easy and it requires a lot more effort and time, but in the long run it will be worth it. Just like jammie pants don't impress me in the grocery store, that same attitude won't impress a buyer seeing your house today. I'm only telling you this to help you sell your home.

As for the grocery store, it's a free country!

Really, who am I to judge?

In my opinion there is no excuse to wear your flannel jammies to the store unless it's midnight and the baby is out of formula.

But then again, maybe I'm just jealous because I left my jammie pants at home.

**********************************************************************************

Mary Douglas, your Mountain Broker-Associate and REALTOR®

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, CO

www.redfeatherlakes.com ---800-531-2195

"A Day in the Mountains will always soothe your city soul"

The information contained in Mary's blog is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed, and the opinions and views expressed in these articles are solely those of the author.

_________________________________________

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HOTLINE WEBSITE: ColoradoForeclosureHotline.org

Website: www.marydouglas-redfeatherlakes.net

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Posted by Mary Douglas, REALTOR ®, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado on 02/02/2010 10:27 AM

Comments (115)

Home Selling Tips for Jammie Pants People in the Home Selling Channel

home selling tips, dress for success, red feather lakes colorado agent

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115 Comments on Are You a Jammie Pants Home Seller?

FEB

2010

lol ! It just sounds funny to say "Jammie Pants" !!!

I always kinda chuckle when I see them in those or their MC Hammer pants in the grocery store, but as you rightly said, it's a free country !!!!

As for homes - "Jammie Pants Homes" will typically be staying in those Jammies for a long time in this market !

Cheers Mary ! Cute post :o)

Funny analogy there. But altogether very true. My daughter is one of those. That's where she feels the most comfortable.

Interesting twist in this post, Mary! I am sure that sometimes you find people with home who have something that needs changing, maybe to be more neutral or more modern, who don't have the inclination or money to change it. Buyers may be able to look past that but poor housekeeping is such a red flag that other home maintenance was lacking.

You make some very good points Mary. On a deeper level, perhaps the issue is about being authentic. Clearly, selling a home is something different and should always be shown in the best way possible. But as long as the jammie pants are pulled up to the waist then I see no harm in wearning them. After all, it is just another type of material.

First impressions are lasting impressions. I always see people that I know when I go to the store- must always think what I look like.

You must have been shopping near campus.

I understand people's thinking that if someone really likes the home, they can see past the "personality", but I often find it easier to sell staged homes.

Mary, that seems to be a trend lately, at least in northern Colorado. It could be worse. Many years ago the trend for a short time was wearing hospital scrubs, at least that hasn't returned (yet).

Hi Sheldon, "jammie pants" is funny to say LOL and I agree with you - those "jammie pants homes" will stay on the market longer or the price will be reduced because of it. Thanks for stopping by Sheldon! Nice to see you!

Hi Robert, I am the most comfortable in them too, but I just can't wear them out in public! LOL Thanks for your thoughts, I appreciate it!

Hi Steve, I agree that many don't have the funds or ability to fix everything and you're right, poor housekeeping does present a red flag. Thanks for your comments today, I'm glad you stopped by.

Hi John, it's funny you should mention "authentic", when I was writing this post I wondered about that. I don't think it's disingenuous to get dressed to go to the grocery store, though. You're right, selling a home is totally different, my point is having a home on the market is most likely less authentic than the way most people like to live in their homes, too. Thank you for your thoughts on it John, I appreciate it.

Hi Jody, You never know who you will run into at the market, I agree with you about first impressions! Thanks for stopping by today Jody.

Hi Mike, It was at Kings on S. College, so I guess that is close enough to the campus. I think some buyers have a difficult time seeing past the personality, so I agree with you! Thank you for coming by today Mike.

Hi Jon, Oh I remember the scrubs, I just thought there were a lot of medical personnel around LOL! I'm glad I didn't have an emergency and expect them to help me :-) Thanks Jon, it's nice to see you today!

Love this, Mary! I really wonder how those people live. I think I have been in some of their homes...the milk is on the counter, the knife used for the peanut butter is still out, there are clothes all over the living room, and you can't get in the laundry room...ish!

Hi Suzanne, People don't realize that those things are distracting and can't help sell their home!

I always admired my friends who wouldn't mind having company in their less than tidy homes, they were very laid back and just glad to see friends. Still, when they are trying to sell it's a completely different story! Thanks Suzanne, I appreciate your point of view!

Somehow Mary, I have become a tie person and it is amazing the command it respects!

Hi Gary, A coat and tie present a very professional and successful image I think! I know we are probably more casual in the mountains - but even our casual is a far cry from jammie pants! Thanks Gary, I remember when your profile photo had a tie :-)

Mary - I just came in from shopping for a nice pair of jeans this afternoon. . .I never found a pair that fit right! I fully understand the jammie pants folks with those elasticized waist bands:-)

Oh Myrl, jean shopping is just not fun! I agree with you those elasticized waist bands are pretty comfy, but I don't care what you say Myrl, I'm not wearing them to the grocery store~ LOL!!! Thanks for coming by tonight, I appreciate it!

Jammies and Manolog Blahniks. That should be the way to go, huh?

Cute analogy and oh, so true. Always be dressed for company!

I don't even go to the store without some makeup, I can't imagine wearing jammie pants, although I love them at home.

I love the analogy of dressing your home for success. Maybe that's what some sellers need to relate to.

Hi Mary!
What a great analogy..and so right on! Loved your descriptions!

Hi Melissa, I am just having a really hard time picturing the two together -- in fact I can't LOL!! Maybe very nice silk jammie pants, but definitely not flannel :-) Thanks for the laugh tonight Melissa.

Hi Carol, one certainly has to be dressed for company when one's house is for sale. If you come to my house, which is not on the market, unannounced I might be in my jammies LOL!! Thanks for your take on it!

Hi Linda, I'm with you, I do the same thing! I hope some sellers can relate to dressing their house for success. We have some cabins up here that would benefite from a little dressing up! LOL Thank you Linda, I appreciate you coming by tonight!

Hi Paula, Thanks for stopping by tonight, I appreciate your comments. I haven't seen you in awhile and it's nice to see you again Paula!

ToulaRosebrock.com Hi Mary:

Cute post! Sounds like you saw jammie pants everywhere!!!

I do see people wear them out, but not often.

And good recommendation to home sellers, allow your home to but on it's Sunday best for showings!

Yes most certainly you need to dress for success. Never mind the jammie pants, what about the pants hanging around your knees, even worse. But people who dress like that and whose homes are like that don't see anything wrong with it. They just us perfectionists to take them under our wing:)

Mary,

Yes, I see lots of people in comfy clothes at the store.....

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Mary, this is a fun post and believe it or not Nu Nu & I looked at a home only 50 feet from where we live now and you will never guess what I was wearing? Pajama top & bottoms with Holly leaves for patterns, I just felt so comfortable and we weren't there very long.

Can you imagine if any other agents had showed up to show the home and to see Vegas Bob in his pajamas, "Priceless"

VB ;o)

Hi Toula, yes, they were everywhere! I like your choice of words for the showings "Sunday Best" - of course in many churches people don't dress up anymore - not like we used to when I was a kid, so I don't know if that would mean the same thing to some people! I appreciate you stopping by Toula, thank you!

Hi Jane, the pants hanging down look so uncomfortable! I worry that young people who dress that way will have no clothes to ever go on an interview and impress an employer enough to get a job! Jane, I am far from being a perfectionist in many ways, but if I had to sell my house, I would play the part to the hilt! LOL! Thanks for your thoughts on it, I'm glad you stopped by!

Thanks Ann. Maybe it is the new shopping attire and I missed the memo?

OH My Vegas Bob, say you didn't! You are a jammie pants buyer perhaps? LOL! I can't imagine the look on another agents face, if they did see you there. Too funny! Thanks VB, it does paint a picture.

I wore my jammie pants to school, college, and the grocery store for more than 3 decades now, long before it was "in style" I must admit, I've "kinda" out grown it. But when my mom gives me pj's for Christmas or my birthday she tries her best to make it something I couldn't "possibly try to pass of as 'clothes'". LOL

FEB

2010

Good morning Mary,

I love to say "Jammie Pants"..what a fun name. I see the same thing in our grocery stores and have to admit I take a double take! I'm all for comfortable but do believe in dressing for success (I don't mean a tie at the grocery store). I run into many past and current clients and I would hate to be seen in Jammie Pants after all my preaching about having their homes picture perfect for buyers. Sheldon is right the "Jammie Pants" homes will be on the market for some time!! Creative post Mary!! Thanks for sharing.

Mary,

That must be it.. I didn't get it either!

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Hi Mary! Cute analogy--I just love your writing style! I'm with you--if I go out, I HAVE to be 'dressed for success' or going to work out! I often wish I could let my guard down and be comfortable when I'm out and about. I have to say though, the first thing I do when I walk in the door is remove my shoes and head to my closet for my jammie pants! ;-)

Hi Mary, Oh those jammie pants. What I really don't care for is that teenagers are wearing their jammie pants and slippers to school during the day. Ugh. I really dislike that!

Tammy, you little trend setter you! I didn't know you were a fashionista before your time LOL! You are definitely not alone now - I will be comfortable wearing my jammie pants out when that is the "norm" for corporate America! HAHA! I'm thinking it will not ever happen in my lifetime :-) I'm glad you stopped by today, thanks Tammy!

Hi Dorie, I agree with your thoughts on it, I like to be comfortable too! You're right sellers who are too comfortable in their "jammie pants" homes will spend a lot longer on the market, too. I can't imagine running into a client in my jammie pants in the store, suddenly the comfort of them would make me super uncomfortable! :-) Thank Dorie, I'm glad you came by today.

Hi Ann, I think it's OK if we are unaware! LOL!

Hi Debe, Thank you for coming by today! I'm with you, my jammie pants are the "at home uniform" -AT HOME being the operative words :-) I'm not dressed to the nines to go to the store, but at least I'm dressed! LOL I appreciate your kind words Debe, thanks!

Hi Sandy, I agree with you. Times surely have changed from when I went to school! Girls couldn't even wear pants, we had to wear dresses. Maybe these kids will change the culture and dress in America - but I really hope not. Thanks for stopping by today Sandy!

Mary,

I will not wear my jammie pants to the store......

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Hi Ann, I agree with you, I won't be wearing them to the store either! :-)

Mary, if I tried to do a grocery run in jammy flannels, I'd be sure to run into a client or even worse, a judgmental colleague!

Hi Pat, I would fear the same! Of course, because of this post I am the judgmental colleague, and I would love to meet you no matter what you were wearing :-) ... "jammie pants" homes will be judged by the buyers, though - that's for sure! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your comments Pat.

(I think you did just call me judgmental! LOL)

Jammie pants in the store...Jammie pants in the store, looking like a fool with your jammie pants in the store, with your hat turned sideways and your jammie pants in the store....oh wait, that's a different tune....never mind

So maybe all the jammie pants ladies were at a sleepover party last night and you weren't invited lol? No, couldn't be. Your invitation must have just got lost in the mail.

Hi Brian, Get down get funky LOL I don't think I know that tune, but I appreciate it just the same. :-) Thanks Brian!

Hi Jenny, now I didn't even consider the possibility of a sleepover! Maybe they didn't know I have the proper attire for a sleepover. Well, now they know LOL! Thanks Jenny, I'm glad you came by, I wonder if the invitation did get lost? HAHAHAHA!

FEB

2010

Mary, I absolutely agree with your assessment of the invasion of the "jammie pants"! I see them everywhere and wonder how much in a hurry these people are that they cannot slip on a pair of jeans to go out in public! I guess to them comfort is more important!! Go figure!

Mary,

My jammies are for staying home in not shopping.....

I would feel strange wearing them in public.

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

People never seize to amaze - and some 'Realtor Unprofessionals' even more so!

FEB

2010

I'm going to have to pay more attention when going to the store; never noticed anyone in jammie pants. hmm

Hi Caren, I think you hit the nail on the head - comfort is more important than what us "old folks" ( I had to throw that in there for your birthday) consider appropriate grocery store attire. Thanks Caren, I appreciate you stopping by! Happy Birthday today!

Ann, I agree with you, I just couldn't go out in public either! Thanks Ann!

Hi Liz, it certainly makes life interesting doesn't it? LOL!! Thanks Liz, I'm glad you came by!

Hi Maria, Maybe the trend has not hit Kansas City yet? Let me know if you see those K.C Jammie Pants! LOL and thank you for coming by Maria.

Mary,

How is the weather in CO today? Here we have snow and lots of ice...

A good day to stay home in jammies!

Ann Hayden in wintry Wildwood, MO

Ann, it's beautiful - the sun is out and no snow or ice. You're right, if that's the weather you are having it's a good jammie day! :-) I hope you stay home and enjoy it!

FEB

2010

Flannel jammies(plaid no less!!!) and Old Red how much more relaxed can one get? (Old Red is up to about 18,000 miles now without an oil change!!!)

Lets see, it's 8:55 PM M.S.T. on a Saturday night--- I bet Mary is still in her Hillary Clinton Pant Suit at the kitchen table working on AR!!!!! ^_~

FEB

2010

Mary - This is funny. Today I was a sweatpants Realtor at the grocery store. And, wouldn't you know - I bumped into a seller who I had to beat up this week about staging her house. I didn't pay attention to if she was wearing jammie pants because I was too upset that I got busted in my sweats. I even had to blog about it earlier.

FEB

2010

I was in a store (in sweats) and ran into a current client (in sweats too)! We both laughed at how different we looked from our normal encounters.

Mary - Around here it is mostly teenagers that wear the jammie pants in public. You are so right about dressing the house for success! Cute analogy.

I recently had to run out on a quick errand for my daughter, and I was in my work out outfit. Not the gym outfit, the work out at home out fit. Of course, I bumped in to an aquientance who introduced me to his wife, who gave me the look over. Oh, I don't know if I was madder at her for being so obvious, or at me for going out like that. Never again.

Great blog Mary - I totally agree...

I wonder if "formal" jammies are OK for the market? lol Just kidding!!! Great atricle and dead-on target.

Mary, don't forget the slippers to go with the jammies! It's mostly teenagers that we see wearing this garb, but sometimes...makes you wonder what we are coming to! I guess every generation has said that, right? lol

I am sitting in my jammie pants reading your blog and I love your analogy! I think it's important to always look your best because you never know who you might run into. The day you go from the gym to the grocery store, is when you are most likely to run into a client who may wonder why you're not out selling their house.

LOL!! Funny but very true!

This is where us listing agents need to put our collective foot down. I will certainly list properties that don't show as well as others. Formica counter tops, linoleum floors, and outdated appliances are all relatively expensive upgrades for many homeowners to make. I do, however, insist that all of my listings put their best foot forward. No dirty laundry, no holes in the walls, shampoo out that stain in the kid's room, and for the sake of my sanity and your wallet; PUT THE DIRTY DISHES IN THE DISHWASHER!

All the marketing in the world won't sell a home that looks like Oscar the Grouch should live there.

Mary -- Your analogy is excellent. Wearing 'jammie pants' in public is certainly not dressing for success. Homes that are dressed in jammie pants style won't be 'bringing home the bacon' either.

I recently dealt with this same issue. I guess I should have told them to pretend the Pope or the president was coming to look at their house. Funny post, yet so true!

Mary, too funny! I love this post - and it is so true! By the way I just bought my very first "jammie pants" recently and I love them! But wear them to the grocery store....too small of a town; I better not, LOL!!!!

You are obviously an agent who "gets it" when it comes to home preparation! Kudos from a home stager who appreciates your fantastic analogy!

Brian, I'm so sorry your brilliant and very funny "American Idol" rewrite was wasted on Mary. She really doesn't know what she is missing! LOL!

I too have noticed the jammie pants at the grocery store and it usually is the students. I always wonder if their parents know they are doing this because to me it just sends all the wrong signals. They do make other types of comfortable clothes (ie wind suit) that don't look like your jammies. In your comparison it does relay the same message to me as just being lazy, and some homeowners are that way too when it comes to preparing for a showing.

I would think that wearing 'jammie pants' in public would be like me going to the store in my boxer shorts... with my agency name tag on my t-shirt....

BUT seriously, I think there are alot of us who don't really pay as much attention to what we look like and the first impression we will make on someone when going to the store or "just out for milk or gas".... you never know who you may run into... who your next client may be.... I know, I've been there. Gotta pay more attention to how we present ourselves.... even for those quickie trips... just might be that unknown "major" client that is checking you out....

The jammie pants thing has truly caught on and my 15 year old tried it for casual friday at school. I allowed the experiment mostly cause I was too tired that am to debate the logic of wearing pajamas to school, respect for yourself, etc.

The lesson I wanted to teach her was that people treat you according to the presentation you give them. If you wear jammie pants in public, they assume you are too lazy to dress appropriately and don't hold yourself in high regard. So it makes sense to explain to sellers that if their house is not pristine, buyers will assume that you didn't take meticulously good care of your home's inner parts and that there may be hidden issues with the home.

I think the jammy pants analogy may become part of my sellers plan to make sure my clients always put their best foot forward.

HAHA! Very funny Bruce! I don't believe I have a Hillary Clinton pants suit - but if I did, you can bet I would not have it on at 8:55 on a Saturday night! LOL Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate your take on it Bruce.

Hi Carol, I had to run over and read your post! Too funny! It's OK to not dress up to go to the grocery, but for a seller they don't get the same opportunity if they want to sell their home :-( sad but true! Thanks for coming over today Carol!

Hi Yvette, That was a good encounter with your client! I think it's great when we can be ourselves and discover that others are like us too -- it just doesn't work for seller's homes the same way. Thank for your comments, I appreciate it!

Hi Judy, I wish it were only teenagers here, I guess I have finally become "square" LOL!! Thanks for coming by today Judy.

Hi Tere, I'm sure that happened sometime in my past - which is why I'm so self concious now. I can relate to that experience. Thanks for your take on it and for stopping in today!

Thank you Kathy! I appreciate your comments!

LOL Michael, I'm not sure about "formal" jammies - do they make them??!! I think many people would buy them if they were available. Thanks for your thoughts on it today.

Hi Sharon, You're right, it's a generation thing. I would love to wear my slippers too! LOL! Thanks for your thoughts on it, I'm glad you came by!

Good morning Julie, I'm sitting in my jammie pants reading your comment! HAHA! I agree with you, at least when we go out we will look our best :-) Thank you, I appreciate that!

Title caught my eye.....cute post. Love the analogy!First impressions do definitely count.....and in business, you always want to "Dress for Success"

Everybody's watching HGTV - like it or not - no "jammy pants" sellers wanted.

Hi Mary,

Good ideas...love those comfy pants in the office at home...Fun post

Jammies are a no-no in public. However, I learned long ago that if I am going to last in this business where every time I go out the door I run the "risk" of running into someone I know, I am going to have to adopt a style of dress that does not make me want to kill myself!

Actual pants(or skirt) + actual shirt(or sweater)+flat shoes=Dressed

I used to pretend that wearing high heels all day while showing homes did not hurt my feet. Well no more! I will not go home every night so tired & achy that I cannot live the rest of my life with a smile on my face!

You can be who you are, as long as who you are is not a slob!

You are so right. I listed a house once and when I went on the listing appointment, there was pink flowered wall paper in the LIVING ROOM. The sellers stated it was on the wall when they bought the house 11 years earlier and they had just lived with it - and thought the new buyer wouldn't have an issue with it either. If it was good enough for them, then it should be for the next person.

Well, we got dress up to put it on the market. The wallpaper came down and so did a LOT of other things. House sold in 5 days by the way.

Dress your house for Success. I like that idea!

A fun post to lighten the week!

Dressing for success is always important. I learned a "rule" early in my real estate career- "The worse I look when going out to run just, a few errands, the more people I will run into!" So, I then quickly learned to always be dressed acceptably in public. I decided that marketing myself is happening whenever I'm in public.

The times when I am working from home, I can be comfy and frumpy and noone knows the difference!

Dressing a home for success is a great analogy- if it is just you in the home, it can look however you want it to. If its open to the public, as a listed property certainly it, it must be dressed!

My grandmother always said, "It's much better to be overdressed for an event than underdressed."

That saying certainly applies to Realtors and their Listings!

Cute phrase. I totally agree with you, the Jammie Pants folk are just too casual for their own good. They're the ones that say 'I have to live here ya know'. In which I always add - not this way, ya don't. Jammie Pants people also love clutter and excessive amounts of paper. Just my 2cents.

I think you need to dress things up a bit. I am by nature a Jammie Pants (more like sweats) person, but when I am with clients I frequently wear a tie, especially for the initial meeting.

LOL You make a great point. I know some people I wish I had the nerve to send this to.

Mary: Let's forget about the point of this post... and go straight to the more important part of it... your Jammie Pants. The ones pictured in the top graphic are adorable. And, if I had the right body for them... I could see wearing them to the local Safeway or Kroger. Prolly not to Nordstrom, though. :)

Hi Yvonne! Thank you for your comment, I'm glad you thought the post was funny, too!

Hi Stephen, I agree with you, sellers who put their best foot forward will sell their homes for a better price! I like what you said "for the sake of my sanity and your wallet; PUT THE DIRTY DISHES IN THE DISHWASHER!" Thanks for your take on it, I appreciate it!

Hi Barbara, You said it so much better! Thank you for stopping by today!

Hi Kim, That's funny maybe the Pope or the President would have gotten your sellers out of their "jammie pants style" Thanks Kim!

Hi Carol, If you only have one pair you need to buy a second! They are super comfy, but I'm with you - I think better of wearing them to the grocery LOL Thanks Carol I'm glad you came by today.

Hi Sharon, Thank you! As a home stager I imagine that it is so much fun dressing those homes for success! You're right, I missed American Idol - so Brian's brilliance was totally wasted on me - I'm sorry Brian! Thanks Sharon, I appreciate you stopping by today.

Hi Tony, I agree with you, there are a lot of comfortable clothes that don't look like pajamas, and I think the sellers who are too relaxed in preparing their homes for showings are doing themselves a huge disservice. I'm glad you stopped by, thank you for your thoughts on it!

Hi Jon, I agree with you! If I run in to my next major client on a quick trip out the door, I'd rather not be in my jammies! The T-shirt and boxers paints a funny picture - well, at least you didn't forget the name tag part HAHA!! Thanks Jon.

Hi Amy, Thanks for your thoughts on it. I'm glad I don't have a teenager to fight with anymore about the choice of clothing! Now she has a five year old of her own to have those battles with LOL I appreciate your thoughts on it and agree with you about the buyers perceptions. Thank you Amy!

Hi Jerry, You are right, first impressions are so important. For sellers it's important to make a good first impression! Thank you for stopping in today, I apreciate it!

Hi Susan, That's the truth! Buyers are watching HGTV and their expectations are high these days! ' Love your comment "like it or not - no "jammy pants" sellers wanted." So true, thanks Susan!

Hi Ron and Alexandra, Oh I love my home office attire too! Thanks for your thoughts on it - I appreciate it!

Hi Jenna, You are so right about those heels! I spent a good part of my life wearing them, thank goodness they don't work well in the mountains at all! HA! I agree, that we should be who we are unless we are a slob! That was a good one, Jenna, thank you!

Hi Toni, Oh My! Pink flowered wall paper kind of reminds me of pajamas! LOL Your story about dressing the house for success AND selling it in 5 days is priceless. Thank you for coming by today, I'm glad you did!

Hi Linda, You are exactly right. You echoed my thoughts for this post very clearly and I agree that there is a big difference about being out in public; whether it is ourselves or our homes, we need to be dressed! Thank you for your thoughts on it, I'm glad you came by.

Mary what a great post and analogy! My hubby so embarrased me one morning going to the store like that:) I usually only see the girls around here doing it, me I am scared to cross the street unless my hair is sprayed to perfection LOL.

As a Stager this makes me smile to see an agent who knows how important appearances really really are and it's a great reminder that it's not so hard to comb your hair, brush your teeth...PUT ON SOME PANTS (and dust the furniture!)

Great, fun post, Mary! And right on target! The other thing is, as has been mentioned here, when an agent works in a community, especially a small one, and they're asking their sellers to spiff up... why would they themselves go out in public without putting their best face forward?

Debi

Ha! Mary, I LOVE your post. It is so appropriate and a great reminder to bring up with sellers who just don't get it. Thank you for a laugh on a snowy Monday here in White Bear Lake, MN!

Great comparison! I hope this will help bring attention to the need for having your home in tip-top condition when it's on the market.

Mary, you won't ever catch me out in my jammie pants! What a fun way to explain the importance of setting the stage for selling success! I flagged you for a feature and reblogged you. Let the good times roll!

Hi Lyn, You nailed it! I love your response "not this way, ya don't" ! HAHA! Well, living in it and selling it are 2 different animals - that's for sure. Thanks Lyn, I appreciate your comments!

Hi Gene, I agree with you! Just because we are by nature more comfortable in sweats or jammies, doesn't lend itself to good first impressions. You're right, we need to dress it up! Thanks Gene!

Hi Karen-Anne Well, thank you, I designed those cute little jammie pants myself in the Paint program, but I still wouldn't wear them out. Oh unless I had a really expensive pair of shoes LOL!

Thanks Karen-Anne, I'm glad you stopped by today!

Hi Ana, I agree with you it's not hard to put on pants- takes about the same effort as jammies! LOL Oh, and as for dusting: if the home is on the market, that should be a given... Thanks, I appreciate your thoughts on it!

Hi Debi, Thanks for coming by today! I think we need to put our best foot forward if not, in small communities we need to go shopping in another town where people won't know us! HAHA!!

Hi Tom, tell me who they are, I will mail it anonymously for you! LOL Thank you for your comments today!

Hi Deb, Well thank you for stopping by today. I love the sound of a snowy Monday in White Bear Lake, I will have to come over and visit your post. If I have helped one seller "get it" it will be worth writing the post.:-)

Hi Nicole, We can only hope!:-) I know it's difficult to keep a house in tip top condition, but sellers who do this will see the rewards. Thank you for stopping by today, I appreciate it!

Hi Janna, You were commenting as I was replying. Thank you so much for your kind comments and the Re-blog! I probably offended an entire population of jammie pants store shoppers, so I'm glad you are not one of them! LOL Thanks Janna, I'm glad you came by today!

I wonder if the 'pants on the ground' guy might like to write a song about jammie pants?

Hi Kara, He would probably want to collaborate with Brian Kuhns ( comment #37) . LOL I had to look him up, apparently I am the only one out of millions who did not know about him! Thank you for stopping by today, I appreciate it!

Very cute blog and great words to help me with my sellers. Thanks for squeezing the time in to write this.

Hi Robby, Thank you for stopping by today, I appreciate it. I hope it will help with your sellers!

Hello everyone, this might be the answer to the grocery store issue: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1481993/are-you-kidding-me-my-prayers-have-been-answered-by-pajamajeans

Pajama Jeans !! - I really must check this out!

Love it and the analogy! I thought this was going to be about how real estate agents should dress! I don't know about the rest of the country but the Big Island of Hawaii is a pretty wide open scenario on appropriate real estate agent wear! Part of the problem being NO PLACE TO SHOP EXCEPT for Macy's and a couple of small stores! Oh well..at least absolutely no one expects me to wear a suit ever!

What a creative way to broach this subject. I went over to a listing the other day and it looked like a clothing bomb had gone off in the home. Dirty clothes everywhere. It was so funny I couldn't even speak for like 60 seconds. Clean that mess up, you'll be glad you did.

Jammie Pants, Jammie Pants out and about.

Went to the Walmart; shoppers all out.

Girls wearing low riders; sides hanging out

Guys tripping on pants; decency in rout.

After reading Mary's post; nary a one in sight

Eyes are suffering from terminal fashion fright

Jammie Pants, Jammie Pants needed here tonight!!!!

LOL! I was checking back on this post to see the comments and read Bruce's Jammie Pants song. That's hilarious! Thanks for so much for posting!

Aloha Roxy, I've never been able to visit Hawaii, but since it is tropical, I would think a suit would be very uncomfortable and hot! Secretly I'm hoping it's too warm for flannel jammie pants too! LOL Thank you for coming by, I appreciate that!

Hi Nathan, Oh no, and these folks knew you were coming! I agree, clean it up - impress the heck out of the buyers, sell it and move on! I'm glad you came by, Thank you Nathan!

Hi Bruce, That is a great poem! HAHA!! "You are a poet and you don't know it" - my Mom used to say that, I thought you would get it, since she's a Hoosier :-) Thank you for that, I love it Bruce!

Hi Nicole, thanks for checking back - it seems the comments sometimes give the post a life of it's own- which is much appreciated:-)

FEB

2010

Love it! I am a firm believer in being "dressed for success" - in regards to individuals and homes! Perfect example, I have a listing that was competing with a "twin" in the same neighborhood, same street. The other home looked liked a showroom, and sold in a month. My listing is still on the market. The couple has five children, and just can't keep their house "dressed"! Personally, I run into people I know, prospective and past clients, in the grocery store all the time! So, I may not always have on a business suit, but I always think to myself "Would I be embarrassed if I ran into a prospect in the store in this?" before heading out!

Just checked back in and saw Bruce's Jammie Pants poem -- TOO FUNNY! Isn't it grand to have so much fun with a post! Thanks again, Mary!

Fantastic analogy! We have been hit with more snow then I could have ever imagined and I found myself in jammie pants at Petsmart and the grocery store yesterday I must admit. Not a great way for a seller to act about their home nor for an agent to promote themselves. Today I'm dressed for success and ready to go!

Hi Mary!

Did you see on the CBS morning show that they had a segment on wearing "sweat pants" in the big city everywhere: to the opera, fashion shows, etc.

Being a Hoosier and not knowing anything about "fashion", are jammie pants a hybrid sweat pant?

I do like them as they cover up a whole LOT of fashion figure issues, and that was my inspiration for the Jammie Pants diddy. It was pretty rough on the eyes in the Walmart last night and YOUR jammie pants were sorely needed by many of the patrons of the store!!!

Also, I forgot to mention in the above "JAMMIE PANTS, JAMMIE PANTS" jingle is set to the classic:

PATTY CAKE, PATTY CAKE

Have a great day in your Mountain Paradise, Mary!

I agree with you Mary. I work from home a couple of days a week and I've found that even though I can wear my "Jammie Pants" at home, they don't put me in a productive, go get 'em frame of mind. Even when working from home I put on professional clothes (OK, sometimes jeans) and it instantly puts me in work mode. The same is true for working out and going to the gym...if you find that you can't motivate to get your butt in gear, put on your workout clothes and see how you feel. You feel like working out!

LOL!!! Good point. Dress for success. What do you think about the buyers who come to see homes in Jammie Pants?

I live and work in the mountains. I have worn pj bottoms to the store before, but it was in the evening and in our town, I've seen much worse worn to the store(or not worn).

I saw a re-blog of this. What a great title and analogy! I hope you don't mind if I use it with my clients. By the way, I won't even wear pjs in my home office (unless it's midnight)!

Hi Stephanie, your "twin House" story is the perfect example of what works for sellers and what doesn't. I cannot imagine 5 children in the house for sale. I have my grandkids over for a weekend and we make the house look like a bomb went off! LOL I like your idea for what to wear to the store, too :-) Thank you Stephanie, I do wish those sellers luck!

Thank you Carole for coming back by! It's been very much fun! Bruce is hilarious!

Dear Anonymous Jammie Pants Store person! It's Ok, just because it doesn't work for me doesn't make it wrong for everyone else :-) Thank you for stopping by today, I appreciate that!

Hi Bruce, I guess jammie pants and sweats are similar - jps are mostly flannel, but can also be stretchy material, or lightweight cotton and usually have a pattern ( at least the ones I've seen) are you saying they would be the better choice than what you saw people wearing!!? Oh my.

Thanks for the Patty Cake tip -- now I know the tune! You are too funny Bruce, thank you again for the poem, your description on Walmart had me worried though :-)

Hi Cheri, I agree with you about how clothes can make us feel more like doing business - or not. I used to notice that about myself on Jean Fridays! Thanks for your thoughts on it Cheri, I'm glad you came by.

Hi Ritu, I think if buyers are coming to see homes I don't care one bit what they are wearing! :-) I only hope the homes we go see are dressed for success and show well, and I know I won't be meeting them in my jps no matter what. Thanks for coming by, I appreciate it!

Hi Amy, I have probably seen the worse worn ( or not worn) that you are talking about, too! You are one of the trend setters Amy, I just can't join in. I'm too "old fashioned" I guess! I will have to come to your post and see where you live and work in the mountains. Thanks for coming by today.

Hi Cathy, I would be honored if you used it with your clients! Thank you so much. I do wear them in my home office, but not always. It's time to get out of these jeans now and go find my jammies, though! Goodnight Cathy and thank you for stopping by today!

FEB

2010

I've not seen the jammie pants in the store before, but I have seen people walking around with their bathroom slippers.

Whatever happened to the days when people would dress up to go out? I remember seeing the shock in my parents' eyes the first time they saw someone in blue jeans at a Denver Symphony concert (no, not one at Red Rocks!).

Many years ago, I lived in Bermuda, and there were actual laws in place that stated that women could be fined for going out in public with hair curlers! Now days, they probably have the same problems with Jammie Pants that the U.S. has!

Afternoon Mary, I really think you might start a cute jammie & heel craze, love the blue stilettos ;) I see this stuck a cord with here on AR!

FEB

2010

Ok Mary I had to comeback because I was thinking of you yesterday. Yes in GA we got finally got snow about 3 inches too Woo-Hoo! I was out and about while it was snowing and there she was... a woman in jammie pants, winter coat & hat, but she had on fancy flip flops. Did I mention it snowing??? This was no teenager either, LOL!

Hi Martin, I don't know what happened to the time people would dress up to go out. It seems we are getting to be far more casual, which is OK - I just have to draw the line for myself when it comes to jammie pants LOL! Did you grow up in Denver?

Thank you for stopping by, I apologize for not seeing your comment earlier, some of my comments aren't showing up in email or the homepage for some reason! Have a great weekend!

Hi Cynthia, Oh I think the heels just make the jammie pants! LOL!! You're right, this post did seem to strike a cord - we all relate in some way to wearing clothes and/or dressing homes up.

I can't believe you got snow in Georgia, what strange weather we are having this year! I would think flip flops might be super cold on the tootsies in 3 inches of snow? You just can never figure out what people will come up with to go out! HAHA ! Thanks Cyn, I appreciate your comments, I'm glad you came by!

Great analogy Mary -- and oh so true! I often wonder when I see people in the store or out in public in their pajamas or sweat pants (and you can tell they don't work out) what is happening in their life that they can't take the time to get dressed! I'm with you - I love my jammie pants but NEVER in public!

So funny. Please tell me the people in the jammies weren't older than college ad. After that it doesn't look all that ok. Like the analogy. Next take some pictures and post.

Hi Kathie, Thanks for stopping by today. I think, that they think they are dressed LOL I just can't bring myself to be that comfy in public, and if my house were for sale, I wouldn't be comfy until it was all dressed up either!

Hi Bev, I'm afraid they were older than college age and it's a trend that obviously I'm too old for HAHA!! I'm glad you liked the analogy, because the main focus really was dressing the house for success,. Thank you for stopping by today, I appreciate it!

FEB

2010

Mary, very humorous way to make a great point. Fantastic post! Hopefully my sellers will read your post and take the advice...lol!

FEB

2010

Hi Matt, Thank you so much for your thoughts on it! If you have some jp sellers, I hope they read it too! ;-) Hope you have a great weekend Matt!

JUL

2010

here u go...how not to dress your listing for success

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS312&q=photos+of+wal+mart+people&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=D09QTKnEIYL68Ab63J

APR

2011

This was such a fun and creative post you did here, Mary! How nice to have these links on your current post! This has to be the best post ever that did not get featured!!!