Selling a house with children is not easy to do.  Not that children are lined up to be viewed and included as chattels but that all the paraphernalia that is synonymous with children is open for viewing. Okay, there are days when I am sure the Sellers would gladly throw in the children as part of the deal but, I think, that is illegal.

A while ago, my Buyers and I were looking at a home that was immaculate in every nook and cranny.  Based on the two children's bedrooms, it was apparent that there was a toddler and a baby living in the house.  Both rooms were wonderfully decorated - not too many items, not too many toys strewn about and no smelly baby things.  What was more wondrous was the family room.  There were no toys in sight.  Just when we thought that this was a family that fun forgot, we found the toys stacked neatly in the cupboard under the stairs.  The house had been cleaned (and I mean cleaned in every nook and cranny)and staged for an Open House.  Still!!!

There were baby proof items such as the spinning door knob covers and the kitchen cupboard door latches in the house.  All other items related to children (such as that ever present net with $500 of bath toys hung over the tub) were boxed and put away.  It was amazing.  I repeat - really amazing and a tad shocking that the parents could have done such a fantastic job.

My Buyers were not planning to have children.  In other houses we had seen, the toys and heaps of children's laundry were ever present.  Not in this place.  It was immediately possible for the Buyers to see themselves living in the home and to see that, with only painting the two children's rooms, this house could become their haven.   

We made an offer to buy the home.

Photo credit:  Rubber Duckie

 

Valerie Zinger  valeriezinger@gmail.com 

Ottawa, Canada      613-859-7759

 

 
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44 Comments on Staging a House Where Children Live. This is not a fairy tale.

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

NOV
26
2010
1,126,046 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Many sellers have said to me "Oh well, I have kids and the buyers will just have to understand that." Yes but many times they cannot look past all the STUFF to see themselves in the home, especially if they do not have kids themselves.
7:46pm • #25
781,769 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

There really is no excuse for not cleaning and putting away at least some of the toys.  Inconveniencing the kids?  Please....the better you make it look the faster the house will sell.  The real inconvenience is living in a state of "for sale" for an extended period of time.  This post is a great testimony to the power of staging!
8:30pm • #26
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Karol:  Much as I would like the credit, Michelle Fnnamore gave us the the tip on the 2 big bins.  It is a fabulous idea.  One of my clients uses the huge Ikea bags and stuffs those to move things around just before a showing. 

Erica:  You are so right.  Those Buyers of mine were too young to have any idea of the stuff that can accumulate around babies.  They were in shock in the other homes which is why the clean home was so easy for them to buy. 

Sharon:  The longer the house is for sale the more on edge the whole family gets.  This is a case of a little pain for long term gain. 
9:17pm • #27
988,516 Points 82 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Another Feature my friend................well done.  I think you deserve some sort of crown!

 

 Real_estate_photo
9:31pm • #28
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Roger:  I will humbly wear the crown, even for a short period of time while this post stays on the Feature list. 

How did you know my crown / tiara size?    It seems a touch big but then there will be the head inflation from the extra points gains from the Feature so.......   

Off for the weekend?  I look forward to your posts.
9:45pm • #29
549,617 Points 36 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

I've had both kinds of sellers that have children. The ones that train their kids to have fun being neat are the ones that get their houses sold. I had one couple that had 4 kids that could clean up their house at a moments notice. Another that has two kids acts like it's next to impossible to pick up anything. Kids learn a lot from their parents on how to keep things orderly or not.
9:51pm • #30
1,002,077 Points 43 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

When my kids were small and we were making one of many corporate moves---they each had a basket in their closet and could fill it with all their loose stuff with only 10 minutes notice--and we were good to show!
10:13pm • #31
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Lizette:  Somewhere along the line it became apparent to me that people without children should not be vocal with their opinions of child rearing - so I have tried to keep it zipped.  It is a tough job and everyone judges parents.  However, I just have to agree with you on the perception that kids do learn a lot fromtheir parents.  My mother had a ton of rules and woe betide anyone breaking them.  One was to never read newspaper in the living room and certainly not to play with toys in the living room when "a perfectly good play room" existed in the basement.  I still hear her voice telling me to pick up after myself as I go through my house. 
10:14pm • #32
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Norma:  You and your children are perfect examples of what to do.  10 minutes - way to go!  I bet you don't move as much anymore and certainly don't miss it. 
10:25pm • #33
206,053 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

A compliment to the stager and/or Realtor who explained the WHY and potential result...Thanks for the post
10:34pm • #34
763,111 Points 107 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I had a similar situation recently. The sellers did an excellent job of keeping the house free from toddler toys. Even though, they had twin 3-year old boys and a 6-month old.
10:34pm • #35
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Terrylynn.  You are so right.  I never followed up with the Listing Agent.  It would have been interesting to know if he was the influence or if there was a stager.

Tammie:  Those parents deserve a medal.  I remember when my brother and sister-in-law had a 2 year old (25 months) and the twins arrived.  Their life was so chaotic.  Imagine mixing in a move!!!
10:43pm • #36
NOV
27
2010

I have young ones and the houses I sell usually do as well. It is tough when the kids are home all day because they have to play with toys and they don't get put back until the end of the evening. I have seen potential buyers come in that are not too fond of kids and it can ruin showings.
10:12am • #37
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Jessica:  It is tough.  You are so right.  If there are a few toys then it is understandable - even to single Buyers but the mammoth mountain of toys is not good.  Did you see a before photo I took of a client's home?  Now THAT was a house waiting for a stager and purge. 

 
10:37am • #38
NOV
28
2010
548,545 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Valerie, one of my clients have three children, aged ten, six and one.  I understand how hard it is for her to keep their home ready for showings.
9:11am • #39
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Chris:  It is difficult.  I am not sure if it is more difficult with older children - I think yes - because they are more mobile and less likely to listen.  Still......  Whose house is it?  hahahaha
9:45am • #40
371,285 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Valerie: Preaching to the converted!  I hope you close on the property. Best, Gay
10:54am • #41
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Gay:  I hope so too.  We have found some foundation and brick work issues so while the house is so presentable inside, the issues are outside of the house.  Fingers and toes crossed. 
11:18am • #42
948,361 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very timely alert...good to bring this to our attention.    It is so difficult for some people to imagine space differently than what they are viewing, at that immediate moment.
2:26pm • #43
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Li:  If things are bad in the house now, imagine what they will look like after the 3 tonnes of Christmas toys are littering the place.  Good point about only seeing what is there.  It is tough to imagine a house when there is no visible empty space. 
2:30pm • #44

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