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Is it unethical or unholy to ask a family to remove crosses from the walls?

By
Home Stager with All In One Staging Inc. ( A Home Staged is A Home Sold!)

I just got back from doing a consultation with a Mexican family & currently find myself working on the DIY report I promised to deliver to them by Monday.  Besides having them repaint ALL the colorful walls to a more neutral color, I requested the removal of ALL Religious items.  They had 2 saints, 4-5 Virgin pictures & 14 Crosses in the home (yes, I counted).

Being Latin, I understand the importance of these items in a home, but when selling your home I believe it should be Staged for the Mass Market.  Everyone should be able to see themselves living there & the truth is some people would feel uncomfortable with all the Religious items in this particular home. 

Has anyone ever dealt with this situation before?  If so, how was it handled? 

Will I be offending the homeowners by requested them to remove the items?

I understand this is a very touchy subject, but I believe if the items are left in the home, prospective buyer could be turned away. 

 

Please help ASAP, I want to finish my report tonight & help them sell their house.

Best Regards,

SANDRA MONTEMAYOR ~ ALL IN ONE STAGING Inc.  BARTLETT (NORTHWEST SUBURBS), IL

Court Peterson
Coeur d'Alene, ID

Same as too many family pictures.

Explain that prospective buyers need to be able to "move in" while they are viewing a home. Too much furniture, bold colors, too many pictures or wall hangings (family, religious or other art) and general clutter prevent this.

If you present this as a way to sell their house quicker while still enjoying their home until it sells most folks will accept it and respect you for being upfront and honest.

 

Court

Aug 11, 2007 04:50 PM
Sheri Sanders
Berkshire Hathaway C Dan Joyner Realtors - Easley, SC
Realtor/Broker - Easley, SC Real Estate

If there is one cross left out it shouldn't offend people if it is not very noticable.  This might be easier for them to understand.

Aug 11, 2007 04:51 PM
Cathy Tishhouse
RE/MAX Showcase Homes - Royal Oak, MI
Royal Oak Real Estate
If they hired you for staging, I would think they want you to be honest and then they get to choose.  In the beginning, I would hesitate telling people what they should do unless the home was outrageous.  I am a Realtor and not a stager but lately prospective clients are asking me from the beginning what they should do to have the home ready - they WANT us to tell them them honestly--that's our job.  It is always a main rule of thumb that a seller's personality should be minimal so that a buyer can imagine themselves in the home and if they want to really sell and quickly, they want the largest audience as possible.
Aug 11, 2007 04:53 PM
Todd Murphy
Fitts Agency - Tuscaloosa, AL

I recommend this prayer, "Hail Mary, full of grace, please ask God to help me sell this place."

Sorry, couldn't help myself. ;)

Aug 11, 2007 11:26 PM
Juliet Johnson
Vizzitopia - St Johns, FL
Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing

There is another option.  There is a popular tradition of burying a St. Joseph in the garden.  He is alleged to attract the next "right" owner for the home and then protects the seller in the negotition.  This gives you something to have the sellers DO that connects to their religion while understanding that they are now merchandising their house, not their lifestyle.

Once, I placed an old, leather-bound book of common prayer in an upstairs bedroom.  The house languished.  I removed it, and the house got an offer the next weekend.  Coincidence? Timing?  The house came on in the summer and sold in the Fall.  Who knows?  As a somewhat debout Presbyterian, I have always been confused about that one.

Aug 12, 2007 12:07 AM
Brian Bloom
www.AllinOneStaging.com 1-630-292-2710 - Bartlett, IL
All in One Staging Inc. - Home Staging Consultant, Redesign Expert

It's great to have so many nice  people to answer your questions here on AR about Staging,  I Hope you find your answer here, This is a very touchy subject

I think if we tell them that alot of people will be walking through their house they should put all their valuables away including the religious items just in case. That might make it a bit easter on them.

 Best wishes, Brian Bloom ~ All In One Staging inc.

Aug 12, 2007 01:30 AM
Julea Joseph
Reinventing Space - Chicago, IL
Julea Joseph House Stager - Reinventing Space

I don't think it's a touchy subject at all. 

Religion, like Politics is something that a staged home shouldn't advertise.  As a staging professional, it is your job to discuss with the client that all religious objects have to be removed from the home.

 - Client discussion example - "You don't see any religious objects in a Model home, and here's why...."

  • You want to broaden the appeal of the home, and attract the largest group of potential buyers.
  • The goal is to create a neutral space that anyone would enjoy moving into - whatever their religious affiliation is.

Julea Joseph, Interior Stylist - Reinventing Space

Aug 12, 2007 02:08 AM
Brian Bloom
www.AllinOneStaging.com 1-630-292-2710 - Bartlett, IL
All in One Staging Inc. - Home Staging Consultant, Redesign Expert

Julea.

This is not a model home!  So therefor you do have a family who will still be living there until the home is sold.

We are neutralizing the home by, painting the walls, removing the red carpet and taking down family pictures and removing their furniture and placing our own more neutral modern style furniture in yada yada to appeal to a wider range of buyers. 

when doing an occupied home you have more obstacles that have to be dealt with because if we went in with the attitude of not caring about what they want, we would never get a job!

We have a mission statement of working WITH the client discussing how neutralizing their home will benefit them, not TELLING the home owner what YOU are going to do to their most precious possession to sell it no matter what it takes.

Their was a great topic on where has costumer service gone?  Well we our bring it back one costumer at a time,  And we have been doing quite well.

Regards, BB

Aug 12, 2007 02:56 AM
Julea Joseph
Reinventing Space - Chicago, IL
Julea Joseph House Stager - Reinventing Space

Hi Brian,

I believe you are misunderstanding my point and the example given. 

As you know, it is a common saying in the home staging and real estate enhancement industry (as well as around a half dozen TV shelter shows, and a zillion stagers' websites) that "staging" a home (most importantly an occupied home,) gives it a "model" look.  

By using this example, it diplomatically helps the person whom you are consulting to visualize the universal appeal that a model home has.   It secondly, and most importantly helps the homeowner to psychologically transition from this emotional, personalized place - their "home" to understanding that they are now selling a product - a "house."  

You could have also used your own example as you state above : "We painted, replaced the red carpet, and replace the furniture to appeal to a wider range of buyers.  By removing your religious items too,  your home will have a broader, more universal appeal - And we want everyone interested in your home!"

Julea Joseph, Interior Stylist - Reinventing Space

Aug 12, 2007 06:54 AM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento
You need to present the home to a "global" buyer. Include the removal of the religious items in the same speech as removing bills, pictures, collectibles, knives, etc. I shouldn't be a problem.... and is considered good customer service.
Aug 12, 2007 08:20 AM
Sandra Montemayor
All In One Staging Inc. ( A Home Staged is A Home Sold!) - Bartlett, IL
All in One Staging inc - Home Staging Consultant, Redesign Expert

Julea ~  Yes there may have been a misunderstanding with my Project Manager & yourself.  All of us, I'm sure, have the same goal as stagers: to explain to the homeowners that the house needs to have a "model look".  They need to consider it a product - something that's on the market for sale. 

The original post was regarding religious icons and how to approach a very religious family about this.  I finished my DIY report for them a few minutes ago & mentioned that ALL the important items they have should be removed from public display & placed in safe keeping.  I'm sure this will work well. 

I'll keep everyone posted.

Thank you for the advice & lets keep the ideas flowing in AR to inform everyone how great Home Staging works (especially in Chicago).  

Best wishes,   Sandra  Montemayor - All In One Staging, Inc.  Bartlett, IL

Aug 12, 2007 03:01 PM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento
Is there a reason why my comments were deleted?
Aug 12, 2007 03:08 PM
Karla Davis
Florida Home Staging & Redesign, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Orlando Home Staging Firm

Oh boy some interesting comments on this blog.

Sandra-It is fine to tell them to remove it, just so long as you explain why and how it helps them sell their home. My husband is a minister and while our faith is important to us it doesn't have to be on display to know it exists for us!

We have one or two pieces up as we are not selling but my husband knows when it goes on the market, more neutral artwork will be replacing those pieces and he's fine with it.

Just remind them that the goal is to sell the home. Ask them how badly they want to sell and explain that it can be a turnoff for a buyer that doesn't share their faith. It is worth it to keep them up and not sell or remove them so that they can move faster and re-hang them in the new house?

Aug 13, 2007 04:06 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
Sandra, We are an equal opportunity staging firm. We will ask someone to remove menorahs as quickly as we will ask them to remove prayer shawls or crosses. We have used that same line when talking to our clients so they understand it is not their particular regligion which we want to remove. We usually get a laugh and our way.
Aug 13, 2007 06:12 AM
Brian Bloom
www.AllinOneStaging.com 1-630-292-2710 - Bartlett, IL
All in One Staging Inc. - Home Staging Consultant, Redesign Expert

Great advice Yvonne...

We will keep that in mind for sure, thank you.

Regards, Brian Bloom

Aug 13, 2007 11:09 AM
Stephanie Heron
Dressing Rooms LLC - Scottsdale, AZ
Weeber - Dressing Rooms

Yvonne - that's a great line. All we are trying to do is make the home appealing to the widest audience. We don't want to turn anyone off.

Stephanie

Aug 13, 2007 11:34 AM
Sandra Montemayor
All In One Staging Inc. ( A Home Staged is A Home Sold!) - Bartlett, IL
All in One Staging inc - Home Staging Consultant, Redesign Expert

Thank you Lynne,

A great suggestion, But I still would ask politely if they could just for the open house place it in a secure place so nothing happens to it  god forbid.

Thank you, Sandra Montemayor~ All In One Staging inc. Chicago & Bartlett IL

Aug 15, 2007 01:10 PM
Jackie Peraza
Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA
Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

I really don't see any difference between them displaying the crosses or another family displaying their collection of model trains: do they want to sell their items (or beliefs or whatever the case might be) or do they want to sell their home for the most amount of money in the least amount of time.  I'd explain that ultimately of course the decision is theirs to make; but I'd hope they would consider my professional opinion in their decision making process and either remove all or most of their display.

Kindest,

Jackie Peraza - Perceptions AdverStaging, LLC 

Aug 15, 2007 03:23 PM
Susie Larsen
Susie Larsen Photography - Pocatello, ID
East Idaho Real Estate Photographer

Sandra,

I am interested in the outcome of this situation. Did they take them down willingly, or were they upset?

Just curious,

Susie

Aug 15, 2007 04:29 PM
Shell Brodnax
Real Estate Staging Association - Valley Springs, CA
CEO- RESA

If you educate your clients from the get go this will never be an issue. When you first talk to them about staging you simply state it is your job to tell them EVERYTHING that needs to be done to prepare their home for sale, the good the bad and the ugly, and ask them you want the truth and for me to be honest correct?  They say of course. Now don't address the first time you see them.

After that just include it in your report or in person as items that need to be packed up. I am living in a staged home now while we are on the market and crosses are not needed to live. My thought would be #1 if you don't tell them you are not doing your job #2 if you don't tell them and you staged the home and your advertisement is up and agents come through, they wont want to hire you because "this stager left it this way" .  You dont ever have to even say, religious items may be offensive to some buyers, but word it just very matter of fact, these are the items that we pack up when staging, toasters, kids toys out of the tubs and crosses, They will take the crosses with them and God wont mind.

Aug 16, 2007 10:56 AM