I‘ve had two showing experiences in the past two weeks that were just strange. Both homes, gorgeous. Both homes, virtually perfect exteriors, conditions and prices. Both homes sit in amazing spots. Neither home will sell. Both homes are listed with amazing agents. Both owners obviously won’t listen to their amazing agents. Both owners are more impressed with their museum than trying to sell their home.
What do I mean by museum? One of the biggest thing I consult with my sellers on is depersonalizing the home. Home #1 truly was a museum. The collection of American artifacts and memorabilia was striking. So striking, that every wall, floor and bookshelf was covered with the seller’s life trophies.
Home #2 was a nostalgia museum. From the Marilyn Monroe collection in the dining room to the wall (yes, complete wall) of music CDs in the master bedroom, weaving through this museum not only took our search off schedule, but ended up in a big disappointment for my buyers.
Having a home like this can be great for your personal life and enjoyment; however, keep these thing in mind if you have museumitis in your home and you’re thinking about selling it.
1. Buyers enter a home to see the home. The more things you have in the home is a distraction to the sales process. Think of it like ice cream. Almost everyone likes vanilla. The chances of you pleasing everyone with your mint jamoca almond fudge are slim to none. A buyer 100% of the time will be more interested and distracted by all the crap.
2. Buyers want to visualize their life in your home, not your life. Face it. You’ve decided to sell the home. You need to let it go. While certain suggestions might not be your bag-of-tea, you really need to find your big boy pants, thick skin and get ready to get your home ready. The nude photo shoot that you and your husband did that now hangs in your foyer (yes, ask my buyers Angela and Adam about this one)…gotta go.
3. You have to remove it all and patch the walls anyway. After you sell the home, you’re going to have to pack everything up and take care of any wall damage; so, you might as well handle the stress, time and sweat of it all right now. Don’t put it all it the garage or extra closet either. Budget for a storage unit until you sell and move. A cluttered garage or storage space sends the message, “We’ve not go any space and neither will YOU when you buy this house.”
4. Remove polarizing items. While you may love your favorite political figure or be so grounded in your faith that you want the world to know it, a home marketing period is not the time for you to push your beliefs, thoughts, faith and philosophies on the strangers who will be entering your home. Faith and politics are two of the biggest topics that separate society today. Just as your passion shines, the buyer’s passion may shine the same in the opposite direction. These items will automatically stigmatize the property to the buyer with the $$$.
