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Oh Deer, How Much Should Be De-Cluttered?

By Mona Gersky

Real Estate Broker/Owner with MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC NC# 218097

December 30, 2011 12:24 AM

Oh Deer Me, how much should be cleaned out? When we help people get ready to list their houses, one of the suggestions we usually make is De-clutter, De-clutter, De-clutter (actually, is that three suggestions?) and minimize the amount of “personal” décor. The goal is not to hurt the seller’s feelings or pass judgment on how they choose to add focus to their walls, refrigerators or bulletin boards.

The goal is simple, some buyers have a great deal of difficulty visualizing themselves and their own decorative demons in a house if there is no place for the eyes to rest and contemplate.

Once in a while though, I’m really glad someone didn’t remove all of their personal touches because it can add depth to the “spirit” of the house. Someone took the time to transfer their emotions about a subject onto a needlework piece of art. I showed this house in Waynesville, NC and while ultimately it wasn’t the choice for the buyers I was working with, we all agreed that at least the house had the right spirit.

For The Deer

Oh deer, I’m glad this little piece wasn’t part of the de-cluttering program.

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David Popoff

DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT

Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Mona even with de-clutter you still want the house to feel like a home ~ Happy New Year

Dec 30, 2011 12:28 AM

Charlie Dresen

The Group, Inc - Steamboat Springs, CO

Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

There is a point when a home can look too sterile. If it's truly empty, that's one thing, but if someone is still living there or has possessions in it, then it's finding the right decluttering balance that works. Good luck selling this home that is obviously home to animal lovers!

Dec 30, 2011 12:34 AM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Mona-Decluttering is the key to people visualizing their things not seeing other peoples stuff. Wishing you and Leslie a wonderful New Year.

Dec 30, 2011 12:35 AM

Mona Gersky

MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC

GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

David, that is really true...nothing worse than a house looking commercially depersonalized. It really does need to be warm and inviting.

Hi Charlie, I wish it was my listing ;( but it isn't. You do get the feeling that the inhabitants really appreciate living beings.

Hello Sharon, some people just can't look past clutter.

Dec 30, 2011 01:33 AM

Rob D. Shepherd

RETIRED - Florence, OR

RETIRED

One thing overlooked is personal photos on the wall. The buyers may not buy if they reconize the sellers family as someone they don't like such as a policeman that just gave them a ticket.

Dec 30, 2011 01:41 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Mona - that's something even as a home stager I'd never tell the owner to put away and I know that if I was buying that home it was filled with good energy just from reading the poem. So sad, but true. The only hunting I can even comprehend is when the deer are dying of starvation and car accidents so they thin them out. The thought of deer starving to death is horrible and so depressing. Thanks for sharing this special story!

Dec 30, 2011 01:55 AM

Sheila Anderson

Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ

The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Mona. What a poem. I guess it is true, but it is hard to read. De-cluttering and de-personalizing are two different things. Sometimes the former is the trick, but sometimes the latter is better.

Dec 30, 2011 01:57 AM

Keith Gilkey

Re/Max Chesapeake - Elkton, MD

410-920-7214, Re/Max Chesapeake

Mona, There is a balance that is needed and that's where a stager can really be useful. Also get us off the hook! Mona you and Leslie have a great New Years!

Dec 30, 2011 01:57 AM

Mona Gersky

MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC

GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Rob, that is a fact...never thought there might be a former ticket giver. I usually think someone will find out there spouse is up there on the wall for no apparent reason. Ooops.

Hi Kristine, I guess there was a time for food gathering by hunting and I do understand the need to keep the deer from starving but I've never gotten the hunting for sport thing. Too bad the deer can't get spayed and neutered to keep the population down.

Hi Sheila, the former is usually always necessary and sometimes the latter is imperative, lol.

Hi Keith, I like being off the hook. You have a great New Year also.

Hi Connie, good comment. Just a model presentation can sometimes be pretty uninspiring.

Dec 30, 2011 02:42 AM

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Mona, Great points you are making here. I had one person take everything down off the walls per a friend suggestion and it made it look that it was not a great home. I told them to look at a new built model and see how they have it. Suggest.

Dec 30, 2011 03:06 AM

Belinda Spillman

Optician - Aurora, CO

Colorado Living!

Hi Mona, I always have my sellers leave a few family pictures and personal things around so that the perspective buyer can see that it is a happy home full of love and life. Great post. I will suggest as well!!!!

Dec 30, 2011 03:27 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I can see an amazing amount of love in that work and in that home.

Dec 30, 2011 01:15 PM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Hello, darlin' ~ just stopping by to say 'hello' and that I'm coming back to the Rain and ready to get this party started again. Hope you have had a great holiday.

Dec 30, 2011 02:19 PM

Mona Gersky

MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC

GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Hi Will and Belinda, we've had listers who left the house a little too spartan and sometimes it's easier to find the "love" in a vacant house than in an occupied house that's been too edited! Thanks for the suggest and Happy New Year to you both.

Good Morning Tammy, it's good to peek into a window of a soul and see how generous and life loving they are. This house bad obviously been well loved.

Mimi, I've sure missed you and the holiday was a little blue. Furry friends, vets, animal emergency clinics all sort of make festivities a challenge. Sure am ready for the New Year though!

Dec 30, 2011 11:10 PM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Thank you so much for your note. I am just coming up for air. I look forward to reading your links in the morning. Happy New Year, my friend.

Dec 31, 2011 04:21 PM