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Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs - Home Selling in Vancouver

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Home Stager with EXIT STAGE RIGHT

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs - Home Selling in Vancouver

As a Home Stager in Vancouver, I often give advice on curb appeal.  I suggest several things:

- Plant colourful flowers
- Add planters with flowers or ornamental trees
- Paint the front door a contrasting colour
- Clean up the yard, store the hose reel, pick up after Fido
- Clean the windows
- Prune the bushes
- Cut back the tree to better see the house
- Add a new mail box
- Add more up-to-date house numbers

political signs when selling your homeOne point that has never come up before, is the question of election signs in the front yard while you're trying to sell your home.  We are having a national election here, and voting day is today, May 2nd.  There are political signs everywhere right now, littering the city. 

I recently staged a home that is located on a busy main street.  Having a political sign on this street would be invaluable to a political party, as thousands of people drive this road day in and day out.  I felt it was my duty, as a home stager, to caution the home owner that by displaying one political party's sign, they may be alienating potential buyers who align themselves to another political party.  The name of the game here is attracting the broadest range of buyers to view your house.  Also, in my opinion, the Realtor's® sign is dwarfed and pretty much lost amongst the political party's sign.  

What's your vote?  Do you think it matters if you display political signs when selling your house? 


Cheryl Malone
Windermere Van Vleet - Medford, OR

I don't think political signs is a wise thing to place on your property when it is for sale.  Especially now, it is a very heated subject... it could turn off that "one" buyer it takes to buy the house !

May 01, 2011 08:02 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Sally ~ I think it's best to be "neutral" when selling ... in your color schemes as well as in your political or religious affiliations.  Revealing you're a card-carrying member of XYZ Party when buyers may hold an opposing view is not part of a good marketing plan!  I've never thought of this before, but will add it to my list of Things To Do when selling -- thanks!

May 01, 2011 09:03 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

It's probably not in the sellers best interest to have a political sign in the yard...........good point to bring up Sally.

May 01, 2011 10:32 PM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Sally - I'd have to agree with you and the others - you don't want to alienate half your potential buyers letting the world know your political views and they don't look so attractive either. Great topic - I've never thought of it before, and you make a great point! I would have done the same!

May 01, 2011 11:58 PM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Sally,

Tree trimming and bush trimming make sense, but your photo shows one of the most notable and characteristic aspects of Vancouver and that is the year round cedar hedge.

Rarely, do you find anything like that in other parts of the country.

If I had one like that, I'd never, ever trim it!

Brian

 

 

May 02, 2011 12:55 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Ok, I believe we have a majority here - no political signs when selling your home! 

Brian - This house is on a very busy street, so not only are the cedar hedges magnificent, but they also help cut the noise of the street! 

For all we Canucks, don't forget to vote today!!!!

May 02, 2011 03:15 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

My vote goes your way too Sally (pun intended). No political signs. And if you run for office I'll vote for you too. Oh...guess I can't.

May 02, 2011 03:40 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

I concur with all others Sally.  No political signs.  I dislike them everywhere but this situation is a big no-no IMO. 

May 02, 2011 05:41 AM
Kathy Burke
Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA - Danville, CA
S.F. East Bay Home Staging

Sally....this is a new one for the books!!  While I have not come by on this one before I would advise the seller to not go political during the selling process.....your SURE to drive away potential buyers who are of the opposite view point.

May 02, 2011 08:13 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sally- I would agree with the others... political signs could distract from your buyers wanting to see themselves in your house.  

May 02, 2011 09:08 AM
David Stevens
Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty, Victoria BC Canada - Victoria, BC
Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty

Hi Sally - I totally agree with you about the political signs - not so good curb appeal!

Cheers!

May 02, 2011 09:49 AM
Sheila Newton Team Anderson & Greenville SC
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - C. Dan Joyner - Anderson, SC
Selling the Upstate since 1989

I agree with most others.. no politial signs... not only could they turn off some buyers, but they don't look good either.

May 02, 2011 04:33 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

What's that expression?  "People vote with their pocketbooks."  Sellers should vote to SELL - and remove any political signs.  Besides, they may clash with the decor - LOL!  Julie

May 03, 2011 01:54 AM
Tessa Skeens
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Something we don't think about that often but great point Sally! My thought is that any type of sign - especially that large - distracts from the house and we know it's not a good idea to have anything that distracts buyers from the great features your home may have!

May 03, 2011 02:24 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Thanks for weighing in, everyone!  I must admit, this issue doesn't come up very often, thankfully.  We've been back and forth to the polls these past years, with a minority government.  The good news is there is now a majority, so we can relax for a while! 

Yes, majority rules - no political signs when selling your home.

May 03, 2011 06:57 AM