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The Sale of Shoe-Racks should be Out-lawed...

By
Home Stager with Revealing Assets - Home Staging Services

As a Home Stager, I am shocked at how many of my clients have one or both of their entry-ways adorned with lovely, open-air shoe-racks.

I will never stop harping on the fact that the most important "impact area" in a property is that point where they step through the entry-way.

We need to be so mindful of how that entire entry-way scene hits the buyer's five senses. Yes, this includes their sense of smell.

I will tell you what these free-standing, out-in-the-open shoe-racks immediately tells a buyer:

1. Oh great, this property is seriously lacking storage. Where am I going to put all of my belongings?

2. Lovely, all I can smell is dirty feet. I wonder if they actually maintain their home.

3. Wow, this entry-way feels very cramped, cluttered, and small. I wonder if the rest of the property feels like this.

As you can see, these are not favorable impressions to make on a buyer right from the start. And, due to the fact that surveyed home-buyers say that they are willing to pay more money for extra or lots of storage space, we want to ensure we are not highlighting a lack thereof.

What can you do to fix this?

1. Simply get rid of the shoe-rack altogether.

2. Pack away or donate footwear that is not currently being used.

3. You can even put a small storage bench in the place of the shoe-rack, where anything stored will be out of sight.

Posted by

Rhonda Wilson - CCSPTM
Owner/Operator of
Revealing Assets
Home Staging and Decluttering Services
http://www.RevealingAssets.ca
RevealingAssets@shaw.ca
780-913-5589 
We transform properties into highly
sought-after products that sell in half
the time and for 7-10% more money.
Through personal experience, extensive
research and training, and a compassionate
approach, we De-clutter living/work spaces for
up-lifting and positive life changes.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Carol West
Carol West Real Estate, LLC - Hillsboro, OR
Real Estate Agent, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Portland

Good points and funny to think about. 

Carol West, Broker

Cathy, 

May 29, 2010 01:35 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Rhonda ~ I always make sure the shoes go away before we come on the market.  I would never live in a condo building that allowed people to leave shoes outside their units - just what I want to come home to every night.  Ughola.

Liz

May 29, 2010 01:40 PM
Robin Dampier REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

Oh, the mental image.  Very good points but I must say I've been fortunate enough to have never encountered a shoe bag other than in a closet.

Sue of Robin and Sue

May 29, 2010 01:40 PM
Jen Wing
JPW Field Inspections - Chico, CA
Field Inspections Since 2007

Very Convincing-Consider it moved. 

I do not want these to be my visitors first thoughts. 

This is why I love reading Home Stagers posts!

Jen Wing 

May 29, 2010 01:49 PM