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Trash Talk, somebody has to do it!

By
Real Estate Agent with HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 RS-76763

messy garage

Trash Talk, somebody has to do it!  

Today I'm dishing the dirt on the most overlooked space in the house when it comes to staging, the garage. Consumer culture has transformed this enclosed car port into more than just a place to park the car, it has become a catch all for all our junk.  

When it comes to selling your property the garage should be staged just like all the other rooms of the home and that means clearing out the clutter, disposing of the unwanted items, and leaving the place neat and clean.  

 

 

organized garage

 

 

Aside from last years holiday ornaments and the collection of fondue pots, the garage usually has some highly toxic materials such as old paint, rubber tires, car batteries, solvents, oils, chemicals, and fertilizers.

These items cannot simply be thrown away and usually require special drop off dates, designated depositories, and pick ups. Make sure to visit your city or towns waste management web site to find out the specifics of where and when these items can be disposed of in your neighborhood.

You should begin this process as soon as you decide to sell your home because many of the disposal services for HAZMAT items happen less than once a month.

                

                                             

In Hawaii visit http://www.opala.org for more information on the disposal of hazardous materials                                 

 

Posted by

Crypto Certified Agent - By Propy 

HI Pro Realty LLC

REALTORS®, PROPERTY MANAGERS® 

We are a boutique brokerage firm offering responsive, dedicated, and professional Real Estate Sales and Pet Friendly Management Services in Honolulu, Hawai'i. 

 

                Office: (808) 941-8866   Mobile: (808) 926-7667

 

Comments (17)

Randall Schrader
Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

LOL, you must have seen MY garage!  I little bit pic1 a little bit pic2.  We've lived there 2 years and have NEVER had a car in it.  I really need to get on Ebay and get rid of all the things that I'll never use, but are to valuable to just throw out.

Jun 23, 2008 07:39 AM
Donna Schoby
Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

Kimo, very important info. that we need to pass along to our clients. Some may not be aware of designated drop off sites. Thanks

Jun 23, 2008 07:45 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

That is the truth -- the other areas are underneath the deck and in the basement -- Buyer start to think you will never be able to move out.

Jun 23, 2008 07:47 AM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

great points

Jun 23, 2008 07:53 AM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

Kimo, super points here and don't forget to remind everyone that they not only need to dispose of the junk properly... but please, please do not fill up all the trash cans and leave them in view.

Jun 23, 2008 08:30 AM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Kimo, I don't recall giving you permission to take photos of my garage.  (/sarcasm)

Super post Kimo.  I know when we go to sell my hubby will be spending loads of time getting the garae "buyer ready" :-)

Jun 23, 2008 08:43 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!

Kimo- I had a client whose garage contained all her soon-to-be-ex-husband's belongings, including a truck and two motorcycles, furniture, electronics, etc. It was so full, you couldn't step more than a foot into it. Please, people, if you are going to throw out your husband, see if you can get him to rent a storage space.

Jun 23, 2008 09:04 AM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

You are so right, the garage is often overlooked.  The other areas that are often overlooked is the lanai areas.

Jun 23, 2008 06:26 PM
Anonymous
michelle@advantagestaging.ca www.advantagestaging.ca

I am one of those people that Stage garages. Recently, after Staging the inside of the house the man of the house took it upon himself to Stage the garage on his own without direction from me and without letting his wife know what he was up to. He came very proudly into the house with a big smile on his face asking us to come out and see what he had accomplished. It was an amazing transforamtion to say the least.

So keep in mind that even the guy who grumbles the most about how much work you have handed him to get the property in shape can be inspired to move mountains (of Junk!).

Jun 24, 2008 12:00 AM
#9
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Good for you for bringing this up - the garage is always the worst!  If you're selling - get rid of that stuff now.

Jun 24, 2008 08:01 AM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Great post Kimo!  Nothing worse than a beautiful staged home and then opening a door to a dirty, crowded, cluttered garage.  It screams "this home is not really cared for-just staged with for sale".      

   

Jun 24, 2008 10:07 AM
-- Casey Brischle
Columbia Bank - Spokane, WA
Spokane Home Loan Mortgage Professional

Great post Kimo.  many people forget about this and many many people just throw their clutter in the garage to make the hosue lok more appealing.

Jun 24, 2008 10:39 AM
Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging

keep it organized (however you use it) just show it simple

featured in the Real World Home Staging for Newbies

Jun 24, 2008 12:34 PM
Connie Tebyani
Platinum Home Staging, Inc. : RESA-Pro - Calabasas, CA
Platinum Home Staging, Los Angeles and Ventura County

BRAVO, Kimo!  Thank you for mentioning the garage, (I thought I was the only one) - the importance of Staging it and cleaning it out.  But more importantly to PROPERLY dispose of the hazardous materials. 

Jun 24, 2008 02:00 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Absolutely right, it just finishes the home staging to have refrigerators, cabinets, closets and garages staged.  Consistent with the staging in the whole house, it's comforting for the buyer and keeps the home more calm in appearance and attraction for the buyer.

Jun 24, 2008 07:00 PM
Tori Lynn Wallitsch
Prudential Ambassador / Ross Designs, LLC - Omaha, NE

I had a male agent of mine tell me once how important it is to remind sellers to pay attention to the garage; often this is the guy's domain and many buyers are impressed with a clean and tidy garage.

Jun 25, 2008 02:59 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Some garages also have a terrible stinch from pets, fertilizer or other items.  You open the door and are knocked over...not good, especially if the garage is attached to the house.

Jun 25, 2008 04:29 PM