During the selling process you might say the seller and buyer become symbiotic.
The seller is processing the change from home to house while the buyer is processing the change from house to home.
As the seller prepares their home for sale, it becomes less like their home and starts to turn into the house they had on 'X' street. This separation process is necessary for them to be able to let go and move on with their life.
Treasures are put away in the process of de-cluttering. They may have to paint out their favorite color on the walls of their bedroom because it is too personal to their taste. The furniture placement no longer focuses on their needs like watching TV. While they are selling the house must be cleaned and tidied every day. Items in their closets and cupboards will be sorted, pre-packed or given away. Family photos will be removed. Cultural and religious icons are also stored. As they pack up the personal parts of their life sellers start seeing only a house they want to sell.
Buyers, on the other hand, need to find that house they can call home.
The buyer needs to form an emotional bond with one of the houses they are viewing. To do this they must be able to see themselves living in the house. Buyers have to see past the seller. Every time the buyer mentally places an item they own in a house they are bonding and buying.
To accomplish this bonding, the house needs to be neutral. The focus should be on the features of the home not on the seller. Spaces should be left for the buyer's imagination. Every time they think 'my X would go there' a bond is being formed. That house is looking more like home to them.
Showing the buyer that the house is 'working' for the seller makes the buyer feel it will 'work' for them.
Staging or preparing a home for sale helps the seller separate and the buyer bond. In the end they both benefit.
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