It's all RELATIVE!

This is not a column for the faint of heart. And let’s face it….we’re all a bit "faint of heart" when it comes to matters of the home. It’s OUR home and we have built memories there. We have painted and planted flowers and had family gatherings and raised families in our homes. But here’s the million dollar question: if you are not ready to let go, then why are you selling your home?

Of course there’s the down-sizers and empty-nesters who are moving to a smaller home for a real reason….the kids are gone. But a great deal of home sellers, even the empty-nesters, are looking forward to a move, for whatever reason. My point is that you are selling your home for a reason and whether that be that you are moving up or down, it’s all relative and you must learn to emotionally let go.

Hmmmmm. It’s all relative. This is a huge part of why selling a home can be so difficult. Many times it’s not about painting the den, it’s more about what you are covering up in the den! People often struggle with change. There’s always that period of time that is really difficult for us when things change. But I am a firm believer that all things happen for a purpose, whether good or bad and the more we embrace that change…especially when selling a home…the better off we will be. Trust me on this one.

Here’s what you have to come to terms with as a home seller: what’s “relative” to your life in your current home will probably not be “relative” to whoever buys your home. What do I mean? Well, for starters, home buyers are just not going to give a lick about your extensive collection of valuable tea pots covering the beautiful built-ins in the den. They are just not going to care or even know that it took you ten years to collect all of these teapots. They are, however, going to be happy that there are beautiful built-ins in the den…so anything distracting them from those built-ins is essentially hurting you.

Ok, that could be an over-the-top example, but it rings true with almost any aspect of a home. Most buyers have a mental checklist. Most know what they want. If what’s “relative” to you is taking away from essential items on their list, this is hurting you much more than helping you.

This is why the concept of staging is so important. Staging is all about simplification. I have said many times to clients that I would rather someone walk into a home and say “What a great living room!” rather than “What a great couch!” A well-staged home evokes this feeling. It’s less about what’s covering your walls and more about the paint color being “move-in-ready.”

Take a moment and allow yourself to emotionally let go of your home. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s important. If you can allow yourself you self to do this you will be better equipped to see your home through a buyer’s eye.

The moral to this story: Let go of what’s relative to you and start thinking about what’s relative to your potential buyers. Instead focus energy and excitement towards finding your new home and/or making plans for that new home! You will be a happier person and you could be surprised at how much smoother the selling process will go!