I went to some open houses today, and took my daughter (12 y/o) to get her perspective. She's been listening to me me talking about what I've been learning about home staging, so I wanted to find out if SHE learned anything.
Her first impression of house #1
- the spider and cobwebs along the railing at the front door
- bright turquoise color in the living room
- damaged hardwood floors , along with
- the smell of animals hit like a ton of bricks.
- VERY worn, dated carpets, with animal hair all.
- windows were filty - hard to tell there was even a yard out there.
The animal smell was extrememly strong in the basement, which was where the "shower" was located. I should say, what they said was the shower. It was an old plastic stall, with a lot of built-up lime. It was built up on a pedestal, with a couple of used shavers hanging on a wall hook. Very appealing. The yard was ok - it even had some grass growing out amongst the weeds.
The Realtor was sitting on the counter and didn't get up because she said her feet hurt...enough said there.
House #2
- knick-knacks cluttered all around.
- tons of pictures, men's caps, beer signs
- the blue carpet in the tiny bedroom was the brightest I've ever seen
- The smell of urine was pretty strong. YUK!
An elderly couple live there, making it evident why the bathroom was huge, and handicap-accessible. That was the ONLY room big enough to put a wheelchair in. Its hard to describe how many knick-knacks were all over that house. This Realtor was a young man who admitted that there were waaaay too many things in that house, but it was their memories and he didn't want to make them feel bad by suggesting they pack things up. Other couples were there also and left without even seeing the other rooms. When we got back to the car, my daighter told me she had counted 55 baseball caps throughout the house. Wow! This house absolutely screamed "I need home staging!"
House #3
- very nice and clean upstairs. The kitchen had some flowers on the counter and a cookbook holder that was very nicely placed.
- terrible musty odor and the dirtiest carpet I've ever seen in the basement
We were impressed until we went into the "finished" basement. Why home stage just one level?
What are people thinking??? And the Realtors - can't they see (or smell) any of this???
There is some educating that needs to be happening here...
call Dawn Taylor at Taylor'd To Sell and I can help with that.
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well Dawn what canI say except that I am sure you won't be selling those houses. I would find some way to give the agents some feedback w/o being cruel or insulting.