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It's Not You, It's Your Books...

What are you telling your buyers?

Back in the 1960s movie theaters used subliminal messages aka suggestions to nudge movie goers to purchase goodies at the snack counter.

Images of popcorn & drinks were shadowed across the movie screen!

Make mine buttered! home staging

Subliminal messages are still going strong...check out this article in the New York Times
It's Not You - It's Your Books http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/books/review

Home sellers send messages to their buyers - whether they plan it or not!

There are the usual messages such as clutter, decorations, collections, etc.

What do their books and magazines say:

Here are a few titles Decorate To Sell has viewed on the road...
Disclaimer: These are all great reads...in fact the Carey Bros Home Maintenance is my favorite!
home staging ideas

On the coffee table in the family room.

What kind of neighbohood?

What kind of neighbors? home staging

overwhelmed

In the kitchen...Work in this kitchen and you will be STRESSED!

Note: I love Peter Walsh - and I recommend this book!
Just don't leave it on the counter!

cheney

On the end table.
Democrat, Republican or independent..... bill clinton

Books can help set
the message and tone of the home!   There are beautiful books out there - great graphics and color!

    home staging A Gift From The Sea written by Anna Morrow Lindbergh

A favorite that Decorate To Sell includes as a gift to our clients!

Have you seen any good books lately?

Margaret Innis
Owner & Principal of Decorate To Sell, LLC
Why be "For Sale" when you can be "Sold!"™
Visit our website www.DecToSell.com

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Posted by Margaret Innis - We Stage New England on 03/30/2008 09:20 AM

Comments (9)

home staging, books, boston, ma, massachusetts, decorate to sell

Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...

9 Comments on It's Not You, It's Your Books...

MAR

2008

Great input...my place is currently on the market and I suppose I should put away some books that are out (Ronald Reagan, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, Donald Trump, Colin Powell and Oliver North). The only thing I need to know about a liberal wanting to buy my place is: Is their money green?

Now, did someone say hot buttered popcorn?

I work more in vacant homes, but we tend to bring in a lot of books. We do watch the titles when we purchase the books though. While I remove the jackets because I prefer that overall look, I do watch what is visible (spines) including topics and titles. It is all part of the message we are leaving for potential buyers.

Shannon - the question isn't whether you would sell to a democrat, but would the buyer want to buy from a staunch republican? Would they feel they will be a minority in your neighborhood?

This is feng shui - the books (republican or democrat) create a discussion that is not about the house! It's all about the house! The books - if they are anything other than universal appeal - take us off track! All the energy needs to be about the house!

Shannon - put them away! Time to pack! Anything that creates a speed bump in the process slows down the Buyer's energy and interest.

Melissa - They are great props, too! We've used them to raise beds! The "Dummies" Series has helped me in so many things! I don't like the message it sends though - so at my house I cover them and change the titles to Organizing for Sweeties and Windows for Sweeties! Seriously! I am always staging! LOL!

Graphic - nervosa: democrat in a republican's house or vice versa!

I love using large, coffee table books. If the home is Tuscan is style, I will feature a book on Italy or if the home is Craftsman style I will place a Frank Lloyd Wright book on the table. I sometimes open the book if the pages are very colorful. If on e of the pages might have an illustration that may repeat some thing in the artwork in the room it looks great open on the table.

Hey there Margaret! I just love using themed books such as sports books in the media room, upscale magazines in the family room, an art book somewhere in the home, then anything about investments, Donald Trump, or the stock market in the reading area. The list could go on and on. Love to also put a pair of glasses on a book next to a faux brandy snifter for a reading area. Great blog ;)

MAR

2008

I do use books too. Definitely lifestyle hardcover books.

If there is an island in the kitchen I leave a lifestyle magazine open to page that displays an article and photos regarding inviting friends over and the drinks and food you could serve. Gives potential buyers the idea of having their friends and family over for good times. Works for me, have had good comments on it.

Michelle Finnamore CSP www.advantagestaging.ca

Margaret, as always, your advice is right on. There have been many times in which I have been in people's homes and been able to learn a great deal about them just by checking out the titles of the books they have on their shelves. I remember being in one home where there was nothing to read -- no books, no magazines, no newspaper, nothing. That told me something too. ;)

We use magazines in staging too. Used book stores have a great supply of those little babies also.

Cathy Lee - Coffee table books are great props - We have a lot of International Style homes in this area - it is a great way to market the property style! And Realtors like it too!

Lori Kim - Any brandy in that snifter (smile)! sip sip!

Michelle - Kitchens are fun - magazines are tough for staging because people take them!

Yvonne - We work so hard to help the homeowner declutter - and then we stage and bring in books! Gotta love it! Our library will not take used books from residents anymore - so we use a local company that will pick up all of your used books for free!

We also have a place to take books from our clients. It is the literacy club. They love to get any good quality books that we can pass on.

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