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What's the Big Deal with Family Photos When Selling Your Denver Home?

By
Real Estate Agent with Jennifer Allan, Inc.

The article below was contributed by Geri Bigum of Staging Denver. Staging Denver is ONLY the very best homestaging company in Denver, and, in my opinion, anywhere in the world. Okay, okay, maybe I'm biased because I had a hand in creating the company back in the 90's, but seriously - these gals are good. While I'm not involved in the company any more, I Staging Denverenthusiastically recommend their services to my clients and use ‘em myself whenever I sell a home I personally own.

What's the Big Deal About Family Pictures?
We've often noticed homes on the market with a ton of family pictures on walls and tables. Since we are in sellers' homes constantly, we know the resistance they have when their real estate agent asks them to pack up the pictures. Some people don't see the importance of removing them and don't have the conversation with their seller clients in the beginning. Others may not be sure how to broach the subject. After all, little Johnny and Susie are adorable and if their pictures come down, what goes up in it's place? Others may not think that it's the family pictures that are keeping the house from selling.

Don't believe everything you think.
 
Getting started in the staging industry, I worked with a Realtor (side note - that would be ME!) who allowed me to take her buyers out for those first looks at houses. It taught me invaluable lessons regarding the things that are important to buyers. The first thing women and I wanted to do was look at the seller's pictures. We would walk out of the house and forget the floor plan. Obviously, we didn't fall in love with that house.

We don't want pictures of the kids on the internet with the property address. It's one thing to know there are children in the house, another to see what they look like. Take their names down, while you are at it. Keep those babies protected!

Men don't want to see pictures of someone else's family in the house that they are considering for their family. They see pictures of the adults and wonder if they were in a meeting with them last week. They spend the entire tour of the home trying to place your clients' faces and remember where they met them. Might as well take that house out of consideration.

Staging consultations start at $250.00 and can return thousands. Would you like to talk to Geri? Email her at Geri@stagingdenver.com or call 303-886-1614. You'll love her!

Kari Battaglia
Veterans Realty Inc - Venice, FL
Who You Work With Matters!

This is so true.  I find it very difficult for sellers to take those pictures down but it really does make a difference.

Sep 27, 2009 11:47 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Jennifer  It's hard to tell Granfma to take down the pictures she's been waitng a lifetime to collect  Karen

Sep 28, 2009 12:32 AM
Julia Odom
Select Realty Professionals - Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Homes for Sale

I have a compromise that I like. Take down the 16x20 graduation/wedding photo but leave out a few (very few) family snapshots framed on tables etc. I think having family photos makes a house seem more like a home obviously if you are smacked in the face with pictures of the individuals it's easy to get sidetracked by the photos instead of concentrating on the home.

Sep 28, 2009 12:33 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

What are they going to hand in place of all those photos lining the stairs? There are so many holes and you know an active family doesn't have time to patch them in between soccer, football and cheerleading.  That's what I hear!

Oct 02, 2009 11:36 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

The family pictures should be removed as soon as possible. I understand that sellers still live there and want to see them, but they need to remember that those pictures will pull all attention from the property.

Mar 08, 2015 05:53 PM