Have you completed Part 1 - De-cluttering? GREAT! You are now ready to move on to the next step:

De-personalize:  The goal here is very simple. You want to remove everything that provides any information about who lives in the house. Family photographs; the refrigerator covered in artwork, magnets, notes, etc. if you are a collector, store away that collection. You may have already done this during your de-clutter step. If not, do it now. There are two thoughts on this. First, collecting something like antique dolls provides personal insite into the homeowner. We are trying to have the potential buyer imagine living in the home. If they don't like antique dolls, this can turn them off. The buyer may not even realize this is happening. Second, the collection may be valuable. Don't risk it.

Remove all distractions. You want the buyer to see the space and imagine their things in it.

This is a short post. There really isn't a lot of detail here. Just do it!

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5 Comments on Home Staging Tip, Part 2 of 5

JAN
20
2009
170,555 Points 2 Featured Posts

This is so true.  You don't want anything distracting the buyer from imagining their furniture or belongings in the home.  I was in a listing today that had family pictures throughout the home.  It really made me feel like the sellers were not ready to move yet.
4:00pm • #1
JAN
22
2009
3 Featured Posts

Excellent point. The buyers will go away remembering the collection rather than the home.

I also specify that my clients remove any religious objects. This can be a potentially upsetting request. I reassure my clients by letting them know that we are not trying to get them to hide their faith or beliefs, but we have no idea what the beliefs of their prospective buyers may be and we want to make them all feel comfortable. It has always worked for me without offending the sellers.
12:25am • #2
1 Featured Post

Troy: Sometimes it is a subconscious reaction to the home. We know something isn't quite right and can't always put our finger on it. Family pictures are often overlooked by the seller when they begin the staging process. Letting them know it can hinder the sale because the potential buyer senses they aren't ready to move yet is a great point.

Pangaea: Thanks for the reminder about religious objects. In staging, we are trying to turn the sellers home into a house that the buyer wants to make their home.

 
7:11am • #3
FEB
05
2009
304,064 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Catherine,
This may be the most difficult one to get clients to do--people really hate to remove their "personals".  But I do agree with you, it is very important.
6:00am • #4
1 Featured Post

Cynthia, thanks for the encouragement on this step. It really is the most difficult for the clients. I think reality sets in at this step - they are going to sell their home and move and this step starts the conversion from their home to a house for sale. I have had clients realize they aren't ready to make a move and decide not to sell, which is better than having them object to every offer that comes in after the property is listed.
8:38am • #5


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Catherine C Capasso

Eastchester, NY

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Catherine Cornelia Real Estate

Address: Interlaken Gardens, Eastchester, NY, 10709

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