Collections, chaos and Creating Calm.

A person’s home is a reflection of who they are. Simple elements in a home will show you someone’s believes, their values, likes and dislikes. Personal collections play a big role in this.

There are as many different types of collections as there are people and each collection hold its own meaning. When selling a home it’s these very elements that can crowd and distract a buyer. However, telling the homeowner that their prized possessions need to be packed away can be a very daunting task.

It is my experience that you need to “read” the homeowner first before making a single suggestion. Ask yourself:

    * Are they looking forward to moving or is the move out of necessity?

    * Does the homeowner openly admit that their home needs “brushing up”?

The answers to these questions will shape the way you approach the client, here is a simple process to cut the clutter and help create calm.

Show interest: Be sure to compliment the homeowner on their collections, ask questions about what first interested them in collecting the items, how long it has taken, etc

Personality Stamp: Let them know that while they have accumulated a fantastic collection, it may be distracting to a potential buyer. You want them looking at the house not what’s in it.

Show them the way: It is a good idea to keep some “before & after” photos of similar properties that have reduced collections, try to give examples that the homeowner can relate to.

Reduce and Re-use: Work with the homeowner to create a plan to pack away most of the collection. Ask them which three or five pieces mean the most, and find a unique way to incorporate them into the room without them taking over.

You can see that in this home they had many decorative plates featured not only on this wall but continued to the next. It created a “busy” environment that also had created its own collection of dust.

By removing about 90% of what was in this room allows the potential buyer to actually see the room. We removed the plates and shelving, window coverings and wall boarder.

Paint cost about $60, two floor plants $40 and the artwork was brought in from another room.

What room would you rather feature?