“BEFORE” Photos and Home Staging

I think it is alright to post before photos if you have the homeowners consent.  I inform my clients of the possibility of using photos that I have taken.  I also have them sign a Photo Release Form allowing me to use the photos for 1) educational purposes, 2) online postings, and 3) advertising.

As long as we use photos (before and after) in a positive, professional, and respectful manner that does NOT embarrass the homeowner or give away any personal information, I am all for it.

Thank you for bringing this issue to light.  I cringe at some postings that complain about this client or that room.  We need to consider that those clients may see our blogs. 

Hi Jackie,

Thanks for sharing this. When I work with home sellers that have tweens and teens I go to the home and do a consult first. When it comes to the kids rooms I tell them that the teen has to select 3 items per surface of their choice- for example lamp, framed photo and trophy on the dresser. Alarm clock, book and phone for the bedside table etc. Remove posters and keep framed art only. After that we then can talk about the best way to arrange the space.

This way the room is decluttered and depersonalized but we have not intruded and invaded on their space. Would it look the same if I staged it? No- but it still makes the room feel less personal and more spacious.

I decided to implement this plan after discovering a 2 foot bong in one boys closet and sex paraphernalia in the drawer of a 13 year old girl! I decided that I did not WANT to stage teens rooms and they needed to clean up their own messes and deal with whatever else is lurking there! Not all teens rooms are like this but once I decided enough was enough and they could take ownership of their own spaces. KH

Jackie,

What a great topic!

I would certainly hope the parents warn the tween that someone will be coming to their room to stage it to sell.

I know I would be pretty mad if I wasn't told, and seen someone moving my things back then. But they have to remember who pays the bills and why.

I remember telling my friends back in the day, ok well I'm heading to my house, when in all reality i was heading to my parents house in which i lived in;)

So again i hope the parents tell the kids first, i certainly from a stagers stand point don't want to find any ones personals while moving furniture around. you don't want to know what we have found in the past, and for a kid it would be really uncomfortable.

This may be off topic a bit, but I plan on using a technique i seen that removes all doors from you children's rooms until they are old enough and mature enough to have them. The same goes for the computers in the house, they will remain in a family area, you have no idea how may kids now a days are harassed in chat rooms they should not be in.

This comes from someone who don't have children yet, but 2 niece's who spend plenty of time at uncle Brian's house that i share with my fiance.

Again good post,

Regards

BB 

Brian I had thought about using that door removal technique but to be honest it would be more painful for me. I would have to endure the loud music, guitar playing, messy cluttered look. I enjoy having my kids go up in their rooms and shut the door as much or more than they do. Sometimes when it comes to discipline you have to be really careful you don't make things more miserable for the parents.....LOL (Just a heads up for if and when you have kids)

I am going to be selling my home shortly and my kids know that I will be staging their rooms. I would never invade their privacy and go thru their stuff without them being there to help. But it must be done. My son has a room which is about 9x9 and he has a huge La-Z-Boy chair stuffed in there. He had to climb over it to get to the bed. If I post pictures I will be very respectful of their privacy, and make sure there are no identifying items laying around.

Good post, it has made me aware that I need to be more respectful of the homeowners privacy and always ask for permission before using photos. Also the comment about 'members only' blogs. Be aware, clients have access to the internet and activerain. This is a good lesson on being careful about what you post.

Whew!!! I had a lot to say. :)