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This morning, Greg Nino, (who needs no introduction to the bulk of you Rainers) wrote a thought-provoking article about "
Anyway... it brought up those situations with my own clients ..
Do I advocate removing every indication of your religion? ... No, I don't. It's okay to leave up your mezzuzahs... or the occassional crucifix, or hindu prayer... but moderation is the key. We want people to feel "at home" and comfortable... and hitting them in the face with your regligion (even when it's the same as theirs), everytime they turn, on each and every wall, counter or doorway, may not make them feel like it's potentially their home.
Society, Ku Klux Clan imagery and the like. I had a client who had an entire bookcase full of Books on Nazis, and of course the spines of the book covers were littered with Swastikas... The owner was a writer, and these books represented some of his writings and some of his research into his publications on the Nazi regime and the third reich. And while I could explain that to viewers, I couldn't control the visceral reaction to all of those swastikas, lined up in a row... they made me very uncomfortable and I would imagine might make any potential buyer feel kinda creepy. I had him remove the book jackets, so that the swastikas were not in view.
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53 Comments on Mine eyes have seen the glory...
Good morning Alan. This is a terrific post because it is right on the money. I have had these discussions with sellers and with buyers who are frequently taken back when they see these tokens in homes. Like Cheryl, I have also had sellers with taxidermy and I have problems with that personally, but the most significant thing is that you either want to sell or you don't. Listen to your agent.
Greg is always so sensitive to such cultural issues. I am glad he gave you a tactful hint, Alan!
I don't care if it's menorahs, crescent stars, or swastikas, it indicates a perverse obsession with something, and that usually creeps people out. NASCAR and civil war memorabilia even counts. Take it down or walk.
Even in the sale of a home, politics and religion remain touchy subjects and in Alabama, one's Alabama or Auburn sports paraphernalia could cost a sale.
Jane - the Indian version, is where the nazis "appropriated" and subverted their version... I think it's supposed to represent the wheel of life. But it is very disconcerting to we westerners.
Kathy - yes... I've seen the full wall shrine, too... with 2 foot by 6 foot photo of their Maharishi! yikes!
Brian - guaranteed, my wife did not place that sign there ;-)
Gene - I'll go a step further... it becomes a "product".
Roberta - right on.
Christine - I'm so, so sorry.
Sara - you're right about that... a large collection of frogs, balloons, sports memorabilia...
Judi - it's very delicate whenever you're talking about religion.
jds swe - buh bye, spammy spamster.
Ed - old glory on the wall, while a bit over the top, is a little different... especially in a teen's room.
Kathleen - market the product.
Joni - you are right about that.
Sharon - yes. yes, she did.
niu bb - buh bye, another spammy spamster.
Mike - I would never ask anyone to remove ALL of their religious items either... only if they're overwhelming. And I imagine, that even if you do live in a primarily Christian area... even some Christians might be put off if there were crosses, sacred hearts and Madonnas everywhere you turned.
Sally & David - the sellers need to have the benefit of our insights into the market... they then get to make the decision... but they'll get my professional opinion.
Greg - keep writing those excellent posts... I need the inspiration! ;-)
Michael - true enough... and yet it's another story entirely when it's religious. Tread lightly.
Laura & Carole - nice singing voices.
Peggy - moderation is the key... we want potential buyers to feel "at home".
Cheryl - if a 12-point buck over the fireplace in the den represents the seller's personality... I guess I'd be okay with it... but I wouldn't be okay with the museum room, filled with a bevy of taxidermied animals.
Phil - you said a mouthful.
James - it's there home, it's their decision.
Bryant - I have gently suggested that those prayer areas be moderated. One family told me "But we need it now, more than ever, in order to pray for the sale of our home".... I, of course, told them to keep it. The house sold.
Sheila - you try to make your home palatable to the largest viewership.
Robin - Greg is the paragon of tact. Always has been, and that's why we love him.
Ron - if it's overwhelming... I might agree and call it a mini-obsession... not sure I'd call it "perverse".
Charita - politics, religion and sports. Good subjects to avoid when trying to sell.
I toured a home with my buyers that had the master bedroom downstairs, with dragon paraphernalia, crystals, dark purples and black draped everywhere, there was also a secret room around the corner that we didn't dare enter.... um... how do you tell your seller to curb the "Eye's Wide Shut" decor and put the sex parties on hold till the house sells? yikes!
To the best of my knowledge, I have not had any client where that was an issue. But it is an interesting one. GOnna read Greg's post now.
Tammy - I had one of those too... where i had to tell the client to put the large pump-container of "lube" away.
Melissa - it sure is.
We take for granted all the times when everything just goes well as presented...I had a black bathroom I had to explain. I mean if I was a roach, that would be the new meeting place every night....Got through it because house was priced well...As to religious shrines, artifacts and all the rest of it...It reminds me when I visited the movie star listing of William Holden in Palm Springs Ca..He was into African masks, spears, artifacts and had a whole basement done in the stuff...It bordered on some real serious JU-JU.....
You've got to stop writing posts that my story can relate to!! LOL (You've got a dang good memory too, I might add!!)
There will always be someone who does not agree with your sellers taste, living conditions, or housekeeping. Hopefully religion and philosphy can be kept separate and a non-issue as it should. And you're right, your job is to sell the house to whomever is a qualified buyer. If your seller wants to limit the size of their buying pool due to their obvious display of religious or other items then that is their perogative. You need only advise them and hope for the right buyer.
Alan -- very good point. Good thing we hope to stay in our house until our end, as there are too many things like that which could cause a problem (filled bookcases along one wall of large room, books filling all the walls of a bedroom, which is my home office)....
Richie - serious Ju-Ju...
Carla - sorry... can't help myself.
John - all i can do is give them my advice...
Steven - they're gonna take you out in a box, eh?
Alan:
I think it is reasonable to request that sellers remove items that other might find objectionable. That may include religious items, but also posters of a sexual nature and other things that might shock the kids and scare the horses. After all the goal is to sell the house, and if removing those items will speed the sale, sellers should agree with their agent's advice to remove those items.
Alan,
Balance is always a tightrope we walk. Just like a different paint color in every room is tough to sell, sometimes folks just can't see past the decorations. Having said that, you can live in and enjoy your home while you are selling. It just makes sense to be market ready.
All the best, Michelle
Evelyn - I can only advise...
Michelle - it's okay for the sellers to live there... buyers know that you live there, and they expect to see a few personal things... but the buyers don't want to be smacked in the gob with it everytime they turn around. That's right... I said "smacked in the gob"!
If these faithful sellers don't listen to you as the agent, let them find out how much god will help them sell their blessed house...
Gina - that would be divine.
What about Druids? wouldn't some trees be nice for the ambiance? :)
Karen - you are too, too funny!