Special offer

Is Your Hobby Killing Your Home Sale?

Reblogger David Henke
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc

Thanks to Margaret for the great points to remember as you are getting ready to put your home on the market.  I have seen too many buyers fascinated with the collections in the house rather than focusing on the possibility of making your house theirs.

Original content by Margaret Oscilia CCB #180695

collections often create clutterMy job as a professional home stager takes me into over a dozen homes a week and I meet some fantastically creative people along the way.   It is amazing to me the unique things people do, create and collect - a fun part of my job.

All too often I have to tell these clients that their hobbies are going to prevent them from getting a good price for their home.

  • The doll collector, whose guest room housed hundreds of dolls,
  • the former antique dealer who can't let go of so many beautiful antique pieces,
  • the rock collector - whose every flat surface contained rocks, crystals or agates,
  • the quilter, whose fabric collection would be the envy of many small shops
  • and the scrapbooker whose papers, punches and cute items have taken over not only the desk, but cabinets, storage bins and more.
  • yes - I've worked with them all in the past few months and each and every one of them is killing their own home sale.

Sound extreme? If you can answer yes to any of these questions - your hobby (or lifestyle) is killing your home's quick sale!

Do you have furniture pieces in rooms where they don't belong?  Desks in the dining room?  File cabinets in the master bedroom?  Collectible cabinets in the guest bedrooms?  Is your bedroom, family room and dining room places of serenity where people can enjoy the space without viewing lots of "________"  (file in your vice - books, model cars, fabric, work piles, etc).

How much is your hobby costing you? If your home remains on the market more than 60 days your agent will probably recommend a price reduction of at least $10,000.  Are you sure you can't live without your "stuff"?

Spacious rooms are desirable to home buyers Home buyers are buying space.

Collections and hobbies take up a lot of space and usually don't photograph well.

Keep your "stuff" and I guarantee your home will remain on the market longer than necessary.

Time and time again I see that those who pack up their hobbies and get ready to move are able to do so. Their homes sell. Others who drag their feet and tell me they "can't live" without these things for a few months have homes who remain on the market month after month.

When you're selling your home, you're selling a lifestyle too.

And don't just stuff everything in your garage.  Get a storage unit, pack it off to a friend's garage, or to mom's attic.  Potential buyers want to think there is enough storage for all their stuff along with room for their cars in the garage.

The quickest selling homes in 2011 are:

  • Priced accurately
  • Prepared beautifully
  • Presented (marketed) well

Pack it up, and get ready to move.  Take a break or reduce your hobby to a small space.  It will save you time, energy and get it sold!

Margaret Oscilia is a Professional Home Stager with Creative Concepts - Home Staging and Contracting serving Salem Oregon and surrounding areas who specializing in helping home sellers stage to sell or re-design to live well.

Related Posts:

Can I Afford to Have my Home Staged?

What do buyers think of a staged home?

Selling a home in 2011?  Tips from the Pros

 

Moving or improving?  Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting has the expertise to showcase your home's full potential, stretch your budget, and maximize your time. 

Professional Home Staging - Reliable Contractor Repairs - Beautiful Results!

  View our website  See our YouTube Videos  Connect with us on facebook!  Subscribe to our blog

Comments(2)

Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hi David, (and Home Stager, Margaret)

  I totally concur. As an ASP Realtor, I know the value in staging homes properly. In this competitive market, you need every advantage. A clean, clutter-free and properly presented home will sell better, and often for money than the non-staged competition.

I've found it helps to remind people that getting their home ready for a sale is much different than how they actually live in their home. It takes a gentle touch to get sellers to actually see their mess. Some are so used to the clutter, they can't see the forest for the trees! 

 Another good technique is to remind them that getting all those extra things packed (and hopefully into a storage unit) will make moving day that much easier. 

 Kind regards,  Debb 

 

Apr 16, 2011 10:41 AM
David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Newtown Square, PA
Realtor, Homes Just West of Philadelphia PA

Debb -

Thanks for all the great points.  I've found home stagers have been key to get some sellers to look at their homes through a buyer's perspective.  "Getting all those extra things packed" can often be the difference in moving toward a successful sale!

Apr 24, 2011 04:44 AM