Your Family Photos Could Cost you Money at Closing.

Over the last couple of days there have been a couple of blog articles written about family photos and the "should they stay or should they go" controversy.  Tanya Nouwens writes 3 Common Home Staging Myths which is a really nice article and gives her reason why she likes to leave some photos.  I agreed with her reasons.  I also understand why some agents and staggers might disagree.  It is all up to the seller and their real estate team I suppose. 

Then yesterday I came across Donald Tepper's article Family Photos In Staged Homes: Are We Ignoring The Elephant In The Room?

Donald's article really got me thinking.  I never think about race or ethnicity in my business.  I see everyone as equal and can't even imagine a buyer not buying a home based on the photos they see or an agent for a seller using the seller's race as a reason to remove photos.  I just don't think that way. There are no "elephants" in my business.

 

 

But, it did get me to thinking.  Thinking about some showings I had this past spring.  My market area is surrounded by two Navy bases. Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor and Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton.  The Navy can be very small at times.  Being a Navy spouse I have seen this.  Move cross country and find out the military member is being assigned to a unit where they know several members from prior duty stations.

On showings of a military member transferring (PCS'ing) here from Georgia we went into a home that had all of it's owners personal belongings around.  The home had not been staged and nothing seemed to be packed away.  As we went from room to room we knew that the sailor was a submariner and stationed at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor.  We even read on a plauqe what his name was and what his rank and rate were.  

 

 

 

 

The name sounded familiar to my buyer so he got on his cell and called someone he knew here.  Sure enough it was a person he "knew of".  He chatted away with someone on base who gave up lots of detailed information.  The person on the other end knew that the seller was retiring and had already left the area.  The wife and kids were still living here until school was out and then they wanted to move quick.  The house was going to cause a problem if it didn't sell and close by June. 

So here with one phone call we found out the motivation of the seller all because of some photos and personal belongings.

This was information that my buyer talked about.  I could see the wheels turning as he made comments about how aggressive he could be in his offer if he chose this home.  The seller showed his cards and I thought for sure my buyer was going "all in" if he made the offer. 

So, yeah now I have changed my mind about photos and personal belongings - they should go. At least I have a story to tell my future sellers if they have objections on removing photos.  This will help them understand how important some staging is.

 

 

 

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