I actually agree with him partially.  I don't think you need 50 million photos up, but I do think that homes that are more family oriented (ie two story, 4 bedroom, etc) should have some family photos up.  I think since your most likely buyer will be a family, they want to think about a family living there.  One nice photo in each room goes a long way.  I'm with him on this one, partially.

This is a question of extremes.  I do not think that a house should be neutralized to the point that the warmth of the family is removed.  Family photos are a part of that warmth for many.  However, if the home has so many memorable decorations that the buyer cannot recall anything about the house -- remembering it as the one with the wall of family photos -- something is lost.  Besides, many family photos are a source of clutter.  I advise my sellers to narrow the number down to a few and to place them in a way that decorates - not dominates.

Renee-  I read the article and thought the same thing.  I've always felt its best to remove all family photos.  I agree, you want your home to feel lived in and comfy and cozy and all that.  BUT you want the buyers to focus on the house and imagine themselves living there, not the currect residents. I can't tell you how many times I've had buyers pick up photos and look closely to see if they recognize anyone in the house, or try to figure out who lives there, etc.  I want them experiencing the house as a whole and noticing the individual features of a property, not its resident.

I think it is a subconsious thing with buyers if there are family photos in the house or not, how comfortable they feel visualizing it as their own.  I always have my sellers remove all photos.  I don't think they are necessary to add warmth to a property.

I still like Nate though, and of course no offense to Oprah!

Renee- I am commenting more as a buyer than a stager right now. I like to see a (as in one) photo of the people living there. Once my curiosity is satisfied, I can concentrate on the house. Of course, I am a very snoopy person. Photos of the whole family tree, little Jeffrey's drawings on the fridge, Jenny's gymnastics trophies, etc. are WAY too distracting.

I vote with Renee.  My only exception would be if there were stunning family portraits and no artwork on hand. 

Renee, for the most part I agree with removing photos.  However, in appealing to the demographics of a neighborhood, I think possibly one or two photos may help a buyer SEE their family would blend in with the surroundings.  I recently staged a condo and left a photo of my two grandchildren in the master bedroom.  Reason, the demographics indicate the buyers would probably be boomers.  Boomers have grandchildren, so I wanted to convey a sense the unit would be kid friendly.

I don't agree a house doesn't need family photos to have personality...that's what accessories are for.

YEAH....Nate, adorable as he is, is decorating and when he does it to sell a home, ugh.  So, not the message.  BUT he thinks he's right, cause he's famous...wish she'd ask us.

Sellers really need to realize that to make more money and sell their home quickly, they must allow their personal belongings like family photos to be packed away.  Potential buyers are unable to emotionally "move in" when other people are staring at them from the walls!

I saw this segment with Oprah a while back and also grimaced. I have seen a FEW pics that work without being distracting. One is clean black and whites that are artistic shots, not just the typical, tiny, cluttery pictures with poor composition. I saw a black and white of a family's dog once that was included with their other pics. It was pretty cool!

The other thing I've seen in some Street of Dreams homes is the large, formal painting of the "family". I never knew if these were really a family, or just a prop, but they do fall outside of the "cheesy little picture" category and done right, give a grand feel to these large, upscale model homes.

He sure is cute...but we don't have to agree with him!

I think that a few photographs scattered throughout the home are fine.  We don't want a gallery wall!  In vacancies, I often bring in a small framed photograph as a prop.

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

Usually photographs are too distracting because buyers are curious about how many family members live in the house, ages, reason for moving, etc.   There are always exceptions, though-especially striking & professionally done photographs which are usually framed beautifully.

Kathy

Hi Renee,  I love watching Oprah when Nate is on!  Even if I don't agree with everything he does, so many people watch Oprah and get their design cues from Nate, it's important to know what he is showing and saying and her show.  I remember about a year ago Nate helped some people "stage" their home for sale.  I couldn't believe my eyes when his "after" walk through of the home revealed that he had placed a large sofa with it's BACK to the fireplace!!!  A big no-no in my book!  Totally ignored the obvious focal point.  Who wants to sit with their back next to a fireplace?  Don't know what he was thinking on that one.  The rest of the home looked great.

Remove your photos you don't need to have a family history in place for the home to sell.  I tell my clients pictures are your story about your life and strangers will be coming into your home do you want them to know you and your family stories?  They always say no....Staging is not impersonal it is about creating a great personality for the home and people love people with good personalities.. the home is no different!

Kathi Frank said:  "This is a question of extremes.  I do not think that a house should be neutralized to the point that the warmth of the family is removed" 

On this one I disagree Kathi.  You can make it "feel" like a family lives in the home.  You just don't really want to put a face of the family on the home.

As a REALTOR, and now as a stager I saw first hand how personal photos can distract a buyer....

Don't be mad at Nate... he's just a product of a bigger brand... BLOG coming soon....

Oh, Julianna how can I be mad at that cutie Nate....he is just misguided.. that's all.

I can't believe Nate would make such a comment....he is toooo cute to be saying things like that!  LOL.  I do not mind seeing some personal photos on a limited basis in a home for sale....but not in every room and not when personal photos are the main 'artwork' in a house.  Thank you for sharing this post!  I missed this episode!