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Fishhawk Lake Real Estate-Declutter But Don't Sterilize

By
Real Estate Agent with John L Scott Market Center 700512026

 

Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Declutter But Don’t Sterilize!

 

 

 

Recently I was showing property to “horse people”. The property itself was what was most important but we started with the home. Besides having holiday paraphernalia (which we were prepared for), this home was FILLED with stuff in every room and on all of the walls. Furniture crammed into what most would think were normal sized rooms felt positively tiny. Crafting gone wild. We got past all of that. The female buyer mentioned to me after we spoke about this that she also doesn’t like the idea that it’s become popular to have everything so sterile that it doesn’t even feel like anyone lives there.

 

 

 

Good point! You want people to feel like they can place their own things in your home, see what the actual structure looks like, but you also don’t want them to feel that it’s like walking into a Ghost Town. Find a middle ground. I mean, heck you  might still have to LIVE in your home while it’s for sale. Just look objectively at your home and go room-to-room.

 

 

 

 I had a recent seller at Fishhawk Lake ask about photographs, because she’d heard on one of those “home selling shows” that you need to get rid of all photos. After looking at her photos, the Glamour Shot had to go! But, the large family reunion photo on the wall at the base of the stairs seemed fitting. It gave you a happy feeling without making it feel like it was too much. It was placed correctly. Also, make sure those pictures are hung straight. When they’re askew it gives the impression that the home isn’t cared for…it’s sloppy and buyers will subconsciously or consciously take note, along with messy closets, bad paint jobs, and a filthy garage.

 

 

 

Simply ORGANIZING hobbies into nifty-looking baskets or giving a semblance of ORDER to a space (check out Storables for ideas)  can make someone feel that the home is well maintained and be more pleasing to the eye. Edit Edit Edit. But, don’t kill the life of the home!

 

 

Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

i really enjoy your pictures and Fishhawk Lake can be like a dream to city folks...Very nice and as to clutter...Boy does it sneak up on you...thank you

Jan 09, 2013 11:30 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Gayle. This is a great focused story. It is always about middle ground as I found out in my own case. I'll keep you posted.

Jan 09, 2013 11:33 PM
Susan Harding, HomeStar Video Tours
Portland, OR
Showcasing You and Your Listings, 855-579-6284

Hi Gayle!  So glad you posted this - there's a balancing act between looking sterile and looking cluttered. When we sold our last home, I felt guilty that it wasn't "perfect looking" , but with two small kids at the time and two pets, it was just impossible to keep it looking spotless.

Jan 10, 2013 12:59 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

I have been in some houses Gayle where especially the kitchen cabinets in white, the sterile look felt like a hospital. Decluttering can go to an extreme.

Jan 10, 2013 06:05 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Gayle,

I agree with you on all points, and photos are seen in model homes (the ideal family), as well as in furniture store vignettes.  I agree with you on the sterile look...Wishing you a great weekend ahead.  A

Jan 10, 2013 06:16 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Excellent advice my friend. 

Jan 10, 2013 07:58 AM
Eric Crane -- Your Full Service, Discount Fee Realtor®
DPR Realty LLC - Gilbert, AZ
Greater Metro Phoenix Arizona

Hi, Gayle -- some great tips -- amazing to see some of the before and after photos after someone de-clutters.  Hope your new year is off to a great start!

Jan 10, 2013 12:06 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Gayle, Unfortunetely, thats how my kitchen looks when I'm out for a day with a buyer and showings. When Im in charge its as you say....organized but definately showcasing personality & someone is home.

Jan 10, 2013 12:40 PM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

It is a fine line to walk...keeping it clean and homey without looking cluttered isn't as easy as one would think.  Too decluttered though looks like a hotel.

Jan 10, 2013 12:57 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Richie, myu hubby has defined "declutter" as his new mantra! And we AREN'T CLUTTERED. His military background makes him very organized and structured. I, being an artist have the opposite feelings, so we work together for making the home feel like ours without the Gestapo taking over.

Sheila, you have me intrigued!

Susan, I think a good agent who's done their homework can prepare a client, and people realize that if the space is being lived in, well, it's being LIVED IN. But, no hairballs clinging to the walls in the bathroom, please! (I actually had first time homebuyers find this in a shower--I couldn't even go in, the rest of the house was so disgusting I didn't NEED that visual).

Gary, and who LIKES going to the hospital, right??

R&A~I always love it when you give me the thumbs up!  Geez, is it almost the weekend??

Thanks, Sharon, I'm sure Kris could REALLY give us the scoop on this.

Eric, agreed. This wasn't the same house, though--not sure if you thought that!

Ellen, the kitchen in this house was not the worst room, by far, but it was the one that seemed most compatible to the 2nd photo in the collage to show the difference.

Mona, boy ISN'T IT a fine line?! I have to edit myself constantly...like Richie said, it kinda creeps up on you.

 

Jan 10, 2013 02:09 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Great points Gail, I like the lived in houses too, and sometimes wonder what they are thinking on some of those staging shows.

Feb 15, 2013 12:46 AM