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Staging 101: Remove personal pictures.

By Craig Schiller

Industry Observer

August 26, 2006 12:13 AM

Any realtor who has shown real estate will tell you that a buyer's eyes will lock on to the seller's personal items, (ie. wedding photos -see below) like a heat seeking missile.

That's why when preparing a home for sale stagers will start by having the seller de-personalize the property.

We often suggest that the seller box up (since they are going to be moving anyway) or put away all family photos, awards, trophies, diplomas, children's artwork and religious artifacts.

Why do we suggest this? Simple: You want potential buyers to focus the property and see it as a home for themselves.

To reinforce my point... enjoy these little photographic gems I thought cought the magic of that special day.

Smile and have a great weekend...

Craig

Comments(11)

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Kristal Kraft

Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO

Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Obviously Craig, you are not a Realtor. We look at homes day in and day out. It's a boring job. Photos like these help us get through the day. Now you want to remove them and make us look at one more boring, dull, staged home.

What's with you anyway?

Aug 26, 2006 01:13 AM

Pam Hofmann

Third Tennessee Realty & Associates, LLC - Crossville, TN

Your Crossville, Lake Tansi & Fairfield Glade Specialist

How funny, At a showing just yesterday the buyers spent more time commenting on the photo's on the wall then about the house. So true!

Aug 26, 2006 01:39 AM

Maureen Francis

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

Isn't that Kristal's husband in the first picture? I hope you don't get charged with breaking and entering for stealing her wedding pics. I am running out of points to use to bail people out of jail...

Aug 26, 2006 01:48 AM

Dawn Shaffer Life is good!

Battle Ground, WA

No doubt, Craig. I have had more people (while doing virtual tours) shake their heads at me and say "Can you believe that realtor wanted me to remove my PICTURES???" or "I just can't bring myself to take down the pictures my daughter made in Kindergarten from the refrigerator. It's *HER* space!!" I just tell them I've heard they can get more for their home if buyers can envision themselves and their own pictures & furniture..

What can ya do?

Aug 26, 2006 01:55 AM

OK Maureen, that settles it. All referrals go to SARA!

Aug 26, 2006 02:23 AM

Kristal, Bonnie offered to leave me a substantial deposit of "unmarked points" if I would post that. It was a moment of weakness.

Aug 26, 2006 03:27 AM

Bonnie Cox

RE/MAX Masters - Denver, CO

Craig, you just took the cake--right out of the eatting bride's mouth. Those are hilarious. Love the Vera Wang gown in photo number one. I've been in a slump....comedy wise. I've got to get churning!

Bonnie Cox - Denver & Metro Denver

Aug 26, 2006 04:13 AM

Christopher H

REAL ESTATE - Shelby Township, MI

I would agree, pictures like those probably should be removed.

Aug 26, 2006 06:21 AM

Chris Griffith

Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

Oh my, these photos are quite fantastic. I'm with Kristal. These are the little things that help us understand who the seller is. LOL Photos, and their choice of alcohol. A bottle of Cooks in the fridge speaks volumes. Do stagers hide cheep hooch as part of the staging process?

Jun 04, 2007 01:04 AM

Joanna Vaftis

First Impressions by Joanna: Home Staging, Redesign, & Decor - Baltimore, MD

Home Stager - Baltimore, Maryland

Dawn, one thing to mention to sellers is that you don't know who will be looking at her house so maybe it will be a good idea to remove at least all the kid pictures

Jun 04, 2007 01:21 AM

Staging 101: Remove personal pictures.

Comments(11)

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