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Don’t Be Fooled by the 2 big D words in Home Staging

I read this script recently that teaches realtors how to teach their clients “on staging home to sell:”

“I’m going to give you the two biggest money-making words there are when it comes to showing your home: depersonalize and declutter. It’ll make you house look bigger and is the best thing you can do.”

Hmm, really?

De-personalize and de-clutter, although 2 important aspects in home staging, does NOT substitute home staging.

Actual MLS Photo: this is what I called (furnished not staged)

I have heard agents telling their clients all the time, and I even have sellers say to me all the time, “Oh, I know I need to de-personalize and de-clutter. I learn that from HGTV.“ or “All I need is to de-peronsalize and de-clutter, I don’t need anything else.” And that’s ALL they do.

And you know what happens when you just de-personalize and de-clutter? You are just showing an empty space and a shell of a home. BUT PEOPLE WANT TO BUY MORE THAN JUST 4 WALLS AND A ROOF.

We often forget what it felt like when we were buyers when we sell our homes. We forgot that we (Read more …)

Posted by Cindy Lin @ Staged4more, ASPM, IAHSP,IRIS, CSP on 10/02/2008 12:48 PM

Comments (29)

Home Staging in the Home Selling Channel

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Originally posted at: Home Staging. Designs. Life.: Don’t Be Fooled by the 2 big D words in Home Staging

Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Real World Home Staging for Newbies
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...

29 Comments on Don’t Be Fooled by the 2 big D words in Home Staging

OCT

Cindy,

This is so true...you have to do the two "D's"...in fact...when I'm looking through listings...I'm just dumbfounded by some of the interior photos that some agents take...Living rooms with clutter, clothes basket in the corner, an oscillating fan...I mean, it just take SOME effort...at least put all that clutter in another room that will not be photographed! Make the bed for Pete's sake...TRY!

I do agree with the ideas of depersonalizing and decluttering, however; you can go too far. Getting rid of EVERYTHING makes the home look cold and unwelcoming. Flowers, a tray of fresh baked cookies and a book on the coffee table are examples of small touches that bring warmth to a home.

There are some clients that feel the need to leave all their nick-nacks on shelves, magazines on end tables and personal effects in the bathrooms. Not a good idea.

'Less is more' is a good rule, just how much less though is the million dollar question.

Cindy,

I couldn't agree more. It is important to address the "D" words but it is crucial to implement the "F" words...flow and functionality!

Hi Cindy, wow, I love that. Can I use it in a presentation I have coming up? It sure make the point.

Robyn OF COURSE! a line of credit would be fantastic ;)

Jackson HOW ARE YOU?! I just thought of you yesterday ;) Woo I like the F words as well.

Richard Exactly my point. I often see sellers go way to far to the point that there is nothing left.

Rebecca Yes the big 2 Ds help! But like anything, people can go overboard.

THANKS FOR COMMENTING!

Hi Cindy, Way to go in Dispelling the 2 "D"s myth. My, it is so true that you do need to do both of those, it strips all personalilty and warmth from a room. God bless,

Thank you very much. Of course I'll give you the credit......you D.......eserve the credit!

Cindy, Great post! I am finding those that think staging is only depersonalizing and decluttering take it too far.

Hi Cindy. The two D's are a great starting point, but thats not staging. I know....people watch HGTV and think they have all the bases covered, but thats not even close. :)

Yes Cindy -- the two D words are a good start ... but not nearly enough. We need to use lifestyle elements that are geared to the target buyer of that particular property, and make the spaces warm and welcoming and flow well. All the more reason that clients need the services of a professional stager.

got that right -- 2 D's = D (does) not make it happen!

De-personalizing and de-cluttering are the two things hardest on the sellers emotions and I think they're really the most crucial, but getting a home staged is more than those two for sure!

The two D's are definitely the starting place, but some people have a strange idea of what "decluttered" actually means. I saw an MLS picture of a very white kitchen where everything was entirely bare except for the refrigerator, which was covered with magnets. Very strange!

Hi Cindy: You make a great point. I thought about this after reading your post. If a Realtor tells his/her seller to declutter and depersonalize, that is exactly what the seller will do. Maybe we should start replacing those two words with 'Staging Your Home to Sell'

OCT

Great post -- you are so right -- we are selling space and yes the lifestyle that goes there. This is the point some sellers miss unless we point it out to them!

Aloha Cindy,

Insightful observation, many people don't realize that staging is not that simple and it's more than just moving and removing.

Job security for you is all I have to say. It's amazing that they really don't get it...BUT it's up to us to educate them then. HGTV has called attention to staging, just hasn't gone far enough to give the whole picture.

OCT

Cindy, Great example. This photo definitely shows a space that has no personality or clutter. Not very attractive.

I have had the same issues. I wrote a blog about this very thing. Sellers can take decluttering a bit too far and YES we have HGTV to thank for this. The rooms are depersonalize to the point of ICE

Phyllis Pafumi

OCT

I've had clients find me because my afters don't look like cold hotels which is how they describe many stagers afters in my area.

No one wants to buy a hotel room. No one walks in to a hotel room and says 'oh, I could live here'.

Cindy: Decluttering and depersonalizing are two important aspects of preparing a home for sale, along with cleaning, but that is not staging. As Jackson said, it also has to do with flow and functionality. Furniture placement can make or break a staged home. And even more important is whether or not what is left is appealing to potential buyers.

Great post. You are absolutely right. It has to be the right balance of neutral decor and comfort. Some people miss the boat altogether.

Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - I hear those all the time from Realtors and "STAGING - we do that." Not according to the MLS photos they don't.

OCT

I agree completely, a staged home is much warmer than the picture you have. We just posted a story about how staging worked for us: http://activerain.com/blogsview/724722/Home-Staging-Works-A.

Hey Cindy,

Now don't forget...buyers need to know about the two "S" words! STAGED and SOLD! This way nobody gets fooled ;)

Sometimes I'll get to a consult and find out that they've already done "so much" in preparation of my arrival. They've done "so much" that there's nothing left to work with! It's one thing if I'm hired to do the staging and bring in all of the accessories & furnishings but when it's a do-it-yourselfer (which I'm fine with) who did it themselves first - it's quite a challenge. I've learned to bring this up in the initial phone calls or emails that if they want to work with what they have - leave some things to work with!

Personal items are different than personality - a home has to have some character and charm or it won't stand out for the buyers. Communicating that difference is part of our job - it's so great when you see them really get it. That "oh yeah - that makes sense" moment. Works for me.

Great post Cindy! Hope you're well.

That's a funny way to put it -- the two "D" words in Staging. I will remember that and it is so true - many people pack TOO much stuff. It's a fine line to walk between neutral and move in ready vs. friendly and welcoming. Best to hire a professional to help make those distinctions.