REALTY REALITY

Questions from our Readers

By Maggie Fraley

Prudential Lucien Realty

"Why is it recommended that I put away family photos when selling my home?"

You’re right, de-personalizing your décor is a common recommendation by most realtors and stagers when trying to sell a house. Realtor.com has many articles explaining that when your home is on the market, it’s no longer your warm and wonderful family home - it becomes a product. What that means is that family photographs and other personal items such as children's artwork, perhaps religious or ethnic decorations, and even prescriptions in a medicine cabinet, should be packed away for the most effective neutral appearance. Model homes are a good example of décor that is appealing to the eye and imagination, but at a closer look, are devoid of any personal touch. Obviously, this is not the way we really live, but marketing experts in real estate reason that potential buyers may be distracted by another family and their possessions, and as a result find it more difficult to imagine their own family living in the house. So in this competitive market, do everything possible to increase your chances for a successful sale and consider following this frequent suggestion.