We don't need a stager, we need an Exorcist.

Welll...looks like this homeowner came from the "more is never enough stuff" school...Yicks !  For some people, "inventory reduction" is beyond comprehension.

Good morning Alan,

Wow!! It's hard to believe the agent allowed these pictures to be taken! Great example of how not to present your home to the public!!

Hi Alan - Whoa! Time for the storage truck and a team of stagers to load it! Amazing what people will put on the market "as is."

I've seen many homes like this: 30 years' worth of accumulated possessions -- all near and dear to the homeowners' heart -- and studied decorating to their taste.  And an older mindset of, "Well, if they don't like my stuff, good!  They're only buying the house!"

Alan~  Wow.... nuf said!

Alan -- I'm a professional home stager, and I'm even shocked .... what a mess!  For a mere $150 to $200, this seller could have had a consultation with a stager, who'd have advised them what to pack up, what furniture to remove, where to put the remaining items to make the home look inviting and SPACIOUS.  Hey, we're selling the house, not the stuff in it, and as it looks now all the buyer is going to be is distracted.  The features of this home are hiding under years of accumulated clutter.

And shame on the listing agent!  Why would they not help their client get a faster sale -- or any sale other than a lowball offer? Most buyers aren't able to look beyond all this mess .... and the agent is really doing their client a disservce.

Alan, to add to the uniqueness, 3-D glasses could be handed out just prior to the showing.  How much for that "watermelon" rug in #1? 

I'm only a little curious Alan?  Are you concerned at all with upsetting the owner of the home?  Or are you concerned at all about the listing agents response? Or the potential for either of them to read your blog post?

Don't get me wrong, I totally agree the home needs to be professionally staged.  But, I question if pointing out a home owners error in judgement, or a listing agents failure, is beneficial to you?

I've often seen the exact same scenario within our MLS, with dreadfully decorated and cluttered looking rooms displayed in photos.  However, I've never openly and outwardly published my opinion for the public to view, read and comment about this kind of scenario.  I guess it comes from how I was raised?  If you can't say anything nice! Don't say anything at all.

Well, at least the pictures are in focus and properly exposed. (I know, I know. Maybe it'd have been better if the pictures were out of focus and under/over exposed.)

I've run into a surprising number of situations like this and the listing agent explains that the place is decluttered: "You should have seen it before"--as you note.

And quite an eclectic collection it is. The various styles of furniture. The various styles of artwork. But give them a bit of credit: Lots of books. Lots of artwork. Musical instruments. And only a small TV. The sellers may be a bit odd, but I think I'd rather have dinner with them (albeit at a neutral location) than with owners with no books, no artwork--but a couple of chairs and a 72" flat screen TV mounted above the fireplace.

As for the comment about "If you can't say anything nice . . . " Well, "cacophany of colour" isn't inherently negative. In fact, in the right context, stretched just a mite, that could be construed as a compliment. So, I'll take that as your teaspoon of sugar in your posting.

Words cannot describe the nausea I am currently experiencing .......

I was chuckling when I started reading this post.  Maybe vacant would be better. 

Can't believe this is all in one house,  but then,  I really can recall seeing at least one worse than this.   Amazing.