Have you ever gone back to take a look at your first star? Have you notice the difference in your writing from then to now? Now with the new team blogs (I was invitied to write for Club Chaos) I was going back to take a look at some of my blog post.
It made me think of who my target audience was at the time. It seems my audience was here on the Rain to other agents. I guess I wasn't using ActiveRain to its fullest potential!
I remember reading an article about personal photos. You know you are taught to remove all family pictures so the new buyers can place themselves in the home instead of looking at the current homeowners. When I wrote this post I was not expecting the respond I got.
So take a look at my first star, then go back and take a look at yours. Has your writing changed? And now who are you targeting?
I was reading an article this morning. It was going against what we all learned as far as depersonalizing the home. Most of us was taught when we go on listing appointments and after we get the listing most sellers ask us what needs to be done to the home. Our first response of course is to remove all the clutter. The second thing we always say is to remove all personal pictures.
Now my guess is you want the new prospective buyers to picture themselves in the home without seeing the sellers in it. Now I agree with what I was reading, having the pictures remaining up and around the home shows its a home. Makes it warm and comforting. You see its history and spirit.
Now I see both parts and agree mainly with the article. I love walking into a home and seeing the story behind the home. The family that lives there and enjoys its comfort. Why would we want to take out the most important part of that home!!!!
So my question to you is, " What is you opinion, What would you suggest to your sellers when asked of this questions". Will you go with the norm or will you step out of the box and keep it personal??
I will answer first, I'm going to step out of the box and keep the home warm and personal!!
Jeannette Neerpat
9000 Sheridan Street
Suit 90
Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024
www.Neerpat.com
Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com
De-Clutter is most important. I have no problem with a few personal photos. After all the builders in new home sites put out fake photos and hey add to the decor.
Too many can be overwhelming ( clutter ) but I like them, just my Opinion.
Jeanette, I know the rule of thumb is to take verything personal away....I don't follow it personally. I beieve to sell a home it needs to look loved and often some family photos will do just that--it often DOES give it a warm feeling.
Missy ~ De Clutter is by far the most important of all when selling a house, hands down. When I wrote this one, I was still new in the game. Learn alot since then!!
Carole ~ Leaving some family photos are the ones to leave not the ones of single portraits. That's how I think of it.
It really is a big difference between what I wrote when I initially joined AR and what I write about now. It was strictly a marketing tool for me in the beginning. Now, I've developed friends, business associates, and clients as a result of AR so it has evolved into something more personal. I try to motivate in my posts more often now instead of doing the "hire me" thing. I hope the people who read my blog "feel" me more now than they could have then!
~Renae
Good point. I will have to go back and take a look. I think I seem less robotic now and more human with thoughts and feelings, not just info-Dinah Lee
I think the clutter and dirt must go...but I also think..neutralize the home..meaning keep it a home but remove...religious items...offensive items...anything that would create an opinion..items that would have someone place an judgement..or stigmatize the property.
Ex. When you see those stickers of someone who lost a loved one on a car...how do you feel? My parents had one on their front window..and when people walked up the driveway..I wonder how they felt? I know how it made me feel...the same when I drive behind one of those cars with the stickers...I feel sad.
I think if you strip a house bare..it needs a little life...but definitely not a too busy one..otherwise people admire the decorations rather than see the home!