Real Estate Blog - Selling Safely - Why Guns don't say "buyer friendly"

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Selling Safely - Why Guns don't say "buyer friendly"

Being a Professional Home Stager in the Great State of Texas has its share of perks as well as challenges. Texans are a proud people and guns are a way of life for many. From hunting, recreational shooting to security, guns are generally accepted here as "normal".

Now I bring up this point not to stir controversy or state a position on them rather, I bring it up as a Professional Home Stager who recommends that while in the process of selling a home, sellers should take serious the consideration to remove or at minimum, lock safely and securely any weapons in the home.

Why?

For answers to this as well as a variety of other subjects please visit Selling Safely

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I am passionate about educating others on the benefits of home staging and ES has given our industry a forum to do so while connecting us to home sellers across the country.

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Posted by Karen Otto, Home Stager, Plano, TX 469)964-0516 www.homestarstaging.com on 02/06/2009 08:36 PM

Comments (20)

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Originally posted at: North Texas Home Staging - Not Your PlanO Staging Blog!: Selling Safely - Why Guns don't say "buyer friendly"

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20 Comments on Selling Safely - Why Guns don't say "buyer friendly"

FEB

With the amount of accidents that happened, I'm not sure if it would be difficult to understand why we need to keep this away. But then again, what would I know?

FEB

Extremly important reminder Karen.

Karen ~ We don't have guns as an "accessory" here, so sellers in states where it is the norm might want to consider how someone from out of state, that might be relocating to their area, might perceive seeing guns in a house they are viewing.

Guns are simply not an issue in Canada when it comes to selling one's home.

You know a lot Loreena! For some folks there is a comfort factor to having guns in the home for others it is an absolute fear. Best to keep secure or out while selling.

Thanks for reading Michele

Very good point Kathy! Although not necessarily an "accessory" they can often be found in closets and in gun racks out of the way but buyers do look everywhere.

That's good Sandi

Thanks for the reminders and infor about the Energized Seller. I have my clients lock em up and move em out ... guns not only can be a safety issue, it sometimes just makes a buyer potential feel ill at east.

Hi, Karen:
Don't forget - the more guns... the bigger the ego. Thus the harder to get the guns put out of view.

The first house I staged had a gun/reloading room/workshop upstairs - and it was a divorce situation, so the husband had moved out, but not returned for the equipment yet. The wife would not touch it. Plus, she would not let him in the home... Finally I just said, keep the door closed.

The Stage Coach Austin Home Stager

Hi Connie, you'd be a great asset on ES - your posts are perfect for the forum - you can re post your blogs you've already written too.

Sounded like a touchy situation Michael - sometimes you just have to move forward and make the best recommendations you can - it's always up to the seller to do or not do what they want.

Karen, I agree that this is a big issue in Texas. You would think that common sense would drive their decision to lock up the guns, but apparently not. You could not take it back if a child got hurt.

Guns are a big issue where I live too. Often the "man of the house" is defensive about his ego items and I have to leave it be. However, when local realtors show their pre-caravan photos and I see guns they can hear me in the back of the room saying "get rid of the guns." Guns and photos/portraits of young children...just two of my soap-box issues. Thanks Karen for bringing this up for attention!

Very good point. Sometimes you need to tell people to trust your judgement. I've walked into many homes and have witnessed guns in plain sight. It's not a good feeling.

FEB

That is amazing Karen, I have never considered this because I have never I have never encountered it. That would be a tough one to deal with.

Hi Karen, I simply include guns along with all personal items the home seller needs to not put in front of the buyer. I mean, do they only want to interest prospective buyers with a penchant for guns, or would they be willing to entertain an offer from someone who doesn't share this interest? Put that way, they usually "get it" and I sidestep any contention. Honestlly, why limit their options?

It would be a tragedy Lara should anyone be injured. There are no second chances there.

We can only advise Ginger and give sound reasons as to the mind of what others may be thinking.

Yes Brian I too feel uneasy with a gun in plain sight like it's no big deal. Kids especially are curious and I would imagine want to touch it. Even in closets I've seen shotguns just leaning against a wall. What if a kid walked in another room without their parent. It only takes a second.

Hi Adam - you may have encountered it but didn't know it, not all guns are in plain sight, in fact I'd say most are out of sight &/or secure but there is the occassional "in plain view" too.

Smart Pat very smart.

FEB

Karen interesting topic. I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. But thank you for putting it out there for us to think about. Terrylynn

Now you may be safe touching a gun with a ten foot pole Terrylynn but I understand your hesitance!

You are coming to Texas girl!

Very interesting. I never thought of this. I lived in Texas for 32 years and never knew anyone that had guns out in the open where they were visible. Maybe I wasn't hanging with the hunting crowd! One thing you do need to remember is to take out that butcher block of knives on the counter for safety. :)

Hi Kristi, I've had several encounters with guns - in cases, in closets and cabinets and those were in plain sight. I started asking my kid's friends parents awhile ago if they had guns in the house while living in FL - when I was younger a friend of my brother's was killed accidently by his sister who was playing with their father's gun (he was a cop) and the family was never the same. You are absolutely right about the knives too - that is always on my list for sellers too.

FEB

Karen, I read your entire article; thanks for linking. We keep ours locked in a safe in the garage. I knew someone back in NJ who was robbed by someone who had cased the property at an open house, and returned with ammunition in his pocket. The unloaded shotgun became the robber's weapon.

Mike in Tucson

That's frightening Mike! You bring up a point I'd have never even considered. I'll be sure to remember this. To pre plan and bring back ammo is unbelievable. Was the homeowner OK?

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