Answers (13)
Best Answer
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:39458
Sounds distracting to me. As you walk through your house, depersonalize so that the buyers can focus on the house. A gallery is designed to bring the eye in - to the gallery, not the house. Emphasize the depersonalization most in the first areas that the potential buyer will see. For example, a family portrait gallery in the foyer would be the first to go. If it was on the back wall of the study in the back corner of the house I wouldln't feel so strongly.
- Maryellen Curtis, "Maryellen Curtis"
- Contributions:431
Yes, I agree. A family photo gallery in the foyer brings the buyers attention to the pictures, and not to the house. If your goal is to sell the house, best to remove all distactions from the eyes and minds of the buyers.
- Sergio Hernandez, "Sergio Hernandez"
- Contributions:619
Done in moderation and tastefully, there is no need to remove family photos.
- Susan Rupert, "SusanRupert"
- Contributions:67
I would try to move as many photos as possible
Also, de clutter as much as possible. Some buyers cannot see past all the clutter.
Sometimes it might be difficult to make these suggestions to a seller-in that case I would consult a stager.
Also, de clutter as much as possible. Some buyers cannot see past all the clutter.
Sometimes it might be difficult to make these suggestions to a seller-in that case I would consult a stager.
- Ivan 'Z' Newell, CRS, "Zrealestateman"
- Contributions:1
Definitely remove as many personalized items as possible. First of all, they are distracting to a Buyer (especially any excessive amount of photos and/or other items). Second, and more importantly, you want the Buyers to visualize THEIR photos and THEIR items in THEIR new home!
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'Zrealestateman'
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'Zrealestateman'
- June Catron, "junecatron"
- Contributions:1
My professional opinion is - no need to remove family photos. All potential buyers will be viewing your home with a realtor (except during an open house)....in which case anyone can stop by.....however, most people do have family photos on display. The most important thing is to de-clutter so that potential buyers will look at your home - nicely & simply decorated but not to be distracted by your "stuff". Start packing! That's what I always tell my clients.......just leave the basics to make the house look like a "home".
- Jon and Donna Birschbach, "Jon and Donna Birsch"
- Contributions:122
Hire a professional stager....first impressions can scare or bring a buyer back for a second showing.
- Connie Klemme
- Contributions:3347
I never really agreed with the complete removal of the photos (until recently). Yes reduce them to get over the distraction of them...that's a good point but for me seeing a happy family in a frame at the store when looking to buy the frame is the same as seeing the happy family in the few photos on the wall. as long as it was excessive and distracting but anything excessive is a problem (too many clocks, too many trophies and so on)
However...as indicated above...I've changed my mind on the photos things and would go with "take them all down"- simply becaues you never know what kind of freakish person is actually looking at the home- you don't need to be showing all of them how amazing your children look and what their names are and that they like baseball or horses or spongebob or elmo or whatever someone in your home might be obsessed with.
so for reasons that have NOTHING to do with marketing of your home...I would not only take them all down-i'd remove some other things that tell a personal story as well. it's the same as having pain medication in the bathroom cabinet for any buyer to take when the REA is not looking. good practice to protect yourself.
However...as indicated above...I've changed my mind on the photos things and would go with "take them all down"- simply becaues you never know what kind of freakish person is actually looking at the home- you don't need to be showing all of them how amazing your children look and what their names are and that they like baseball or horses or spongebob or elmo or whatever someone in your home might be obsessed with.
so for reasons that have NOTHING to do with marketing of your home...I would not only take them all down-i'd remove some other things that tell a personal story as well. it's the same as having pain medication in the bathroom cabinet for any buyer to take when the REA is not looking. good practice to protect yourself.
- Jim Basquette CRS, CNE, "Jim Basquette"
- Contributions:1515
There are two reasons to remove the photos. As others mentioned, one is to de-personalize the home and let buyers envision themselves there and the second is to avoid distractions. When buyers visit homes, they can easily be distracted by photos to see of they know the sellers or in collections of things the seller has. For those reasons, my stager and I recommend sellers remove these items before putting the home on the market. You want potential buyers to notice and remember the home, not the collections or people who live there.
The way you live in a home and the way you sell a home and two completely different things.
The way you live in a home and the way you sell a home and two completely different things.
- Kevin Kieffer, "Kevin Kieffer"
- Contributions:481
We generally recommend as do many stagers that sellers de-personalize their home. Removing family pictures and replacing them with tasteful artwork, is a common practice of staging and often the stager is able to utilize artwork to accentuate the colors of room or give the perception of larger space. So in summary, I suggest removing all family photos and let your stager go to work or if you are not utilizing a stager, locate some nice artwork to replace those family photos. Kevin R. Kieffer Broker Associate Keller Williams Realty Walnut Creek, CA
- Nina Higdon, "Clearwater Homes"
- Contributions:35
A big part of the history of a home is who's lived in it. When a prospect Buyer does not like the house, they don't care about the family pictures. When they like the home, they are naturally curious about the owners, and enjoy to see some pictures, diplomas, etc. A client I worked with was more encouraged to buy the home he and his family liked when they realized that the owner was a graduate of the same university he attended, and was an Engineer as well. Don't over do it, but a few items and pictures in good taste don't hurt the sale.
- Dianka Murphy, "dianka.murphy"
- Contributions:2
Hi Fraser,
Thanks for your question!
It is very important for potential buyers to be able to envision themselves in "your" home. As such, you will need to de-clutter, depersonalize, and make the home as less "yours" as possible. This not only includes removing personal pictures and artifacts, but this also includes neutralizing paint colors if necessary.
Once you opt to put your home on the market, you have to cater to your prospects, even if that means just a simple portrait gallery in the foyer. Buyers don't need to be distracted. It's your job (or your agent if you've hired one) to not only get them in the door, but to keep their interest once they've stepped inside.
Good Luck!
Dianka
- Susanna Grubb, "jupiterpalmbeach"
- Contributions:9
Dear Fraser,
First impressions are huge. I would suggest that you first consider the exterior landscaping, new mailbox, pressure wash the roof & driveway and get some potted plants by the front door. Personal items are fine in limited amounts just try to avoid anything redundant.
Good luck!!
First impressions are huge. I would suggest that you first consider the exterior landscaping, new mailbox, pressure wash the roof & driveway and get some potted plants by the front door. Personal items are fine in limited amounts just try to avoid anything redundant.
Good luck!!
How important is it to remove family photos for selling ? What about a portrait gallery in foyer ?
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