I mention the data on "de-personalizing" a property prior to showing it. The sign is a personal statement and will turn off some prospective buyers. But the final decision is always the client's.

Has to go - we have to be neutral. Short & sweet.

       If it's a Bernie sign, I will explain that they have to add my name and the name of everyone else in the United States of America onto the Deed to that house.  You want Socialism, we will give you Socialism!

Angela,

Whether I agree or disagree, I would say nothing.  Now if their home looked like a showroom for the art of taxidermy, I would definitely have a heart to heart talk with them.  A

I like to keep some thoughts private. If they are selling just like we ask them to remove personal stuff they need to remove political signs. 

I don't say anything. I don't care what political views others have, I'm only there to hopefully sell a house.

That is a tought topic, but needs to be discussed.

Suggest -

Mr/Mrs Seller, tell me as we are looking for your new home would a political sign for another candidate or another party turn you off from viewing a home?

Remove it, as you would anything inappropiate on the interior. Remind them they are selling the home and need it as "vanilla box" as possible ,so the new Buyers can visualize themselves in their home . Never put up road blocks that divert the Buyers' attention.

Take it down.  The year was 2004 . . .  my buyer client was a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan who was relocating to the Portland Metro area.  We went to the lower level and the owner was a die-hard Yankee fan.  How could we tell? Every inch of the lower level was filled with YANKEE stuff.  Every.  Inch.   "FAN" comes the word FANATIC.  Each were both!  We're in Portland, OREGON . . . not even east coast.  Thankfully, the Sox won that year in the playoffs, so it wasn't a deal killer.  Had the Sox lost to the Yankess, I doubt we would have written up the offer.  

If the home is truly going to be staged ... de-personalized ... that means inside and out.  Obviously the decision is theirs, but as a professional you feel it could be an issue, you should state that ... and make them aware of the possible consequences ...

Gene  

What's more important to the Seller: Finding a buyer quickly or impressing their political beliefs on others? Prepare their product as best as possible for the market. If this were a used car, take the VOTE FOR BUSH bumper sticker off the car before putting it on the lot!

Here in our community, I have seen no political signs, and I'm thankful for that!  Why turn-off a prospective Buyer Angela & Stephen Hardiman / HouseTie.com, because everyone knows we all don't feel or think the same!  Now if I did come across a sign on a Seller's front yard, I would probably ask them to remove it, for that same reason above . . . 

Would mention how the aesthetic of the sign might impact a potential buyer and as Kathleen Luiten pointed out in terms of making property more "neutral".

Angela & Stephen Hardiman / HouseTie.com I don't know if I would want to work with a buyer who wouldn't buy a home because of the seller's political affiliation.  Sad!

I would probably say nothing unless they asked, regardless of my opinion on the candidate in the signage

I leave it alone. It the topic comes up I will talk about it. As a REALTOR® I never put a sign in my yard.

It's not any of my business who they want to support, but I would mention the possibility of removing the sign, as long as the home was still being shown to Buyers. Signs of any kind sometimes influence a buyers decision.

I don't think I would say anything....that's their front yard and the sign they allowed to be placed there.... it's not up to me to dictate any direction on that topic....

As I do not get into religious or political gambit with clients nothing as they also might think I am for the other candidate.

It wouldn't matter to me if they were Republican or a Democrat. However, if they sported a Donald Trump sign, I wouldn't even get out of my car. I would just keep right on driving and consider my sanity and well being better for it.

Good question. It does not matter what it is, including religious effigies, I always make recommendations to a client to be listed or listed about how to package and stage their properties in order to sell it. I'm direct and honest about it, don't mince my words and tell it the way it is. I have no problems with that. I believe it's a professional mistake not to say anything as clients depend on you for your experience and knowledge for the best advice.

It's a part of the "staging" process.   Nix the sign.   

Angela & Stephen Hardiman / HouseTie.com - I'd surely ask seller to remove it and bring in ALL buyers (and not just about half!)

While your home is being listed, please remember we have to try our best to appeal to every buyer which means removing yard signs, personal photos, etc. I thank you for your cooperation.

Absolutely! I will ask them to remove the sign. Their personal opinion is not the opinion of all buyers on the market.

I would ask their opinion on whether they think this could interfere with the transaction...discussion ensues and what follows is my clients wishes

Angela & Stephen,
Never had that happened. I would just tell them they just killed half of their potential buyers. Is that worth it to them?

Had a Buyer in 2012 that loved a house we looked at until he saw a very big Vote for _ _ _ ___ sign in the front yard of the house across the street, that nixed it right then and there. 

Unless it's the seller themself running for office,  it's probably not a good idea to have a sign in the yard.  

I let them know that the sign could be the "red wall" that turns off that perspective buyer... but buyers are "funny...like that" and that could be the one thing that sticks in their mind about the home, and they may not "see" the good qualities of the home, but the decision is always theirs to make

Similar thought process as to whether to say anything about Christmas decorations, or other religious decorations, during those time frames...

Nada.  1st amendment, free speech.  If it cost them a sale, that's on them.  But not my place to to quite their voice.

I would just ignore it and mention later that they may get a larger audience if they replace the political sign with a real estate sign.

I never really thought about that until reading this. I think that I might gingerly suggest they may want to consider removing so as to avoid and possible conflict. 

I dont bring it up.

You don't say anything to them. Most buyers will not care about political signs in the yard.

I would not say anything to the sellers. I've never heard of any buyer saying "I love everything about the house, the neighborhood and the price, but I won't put in an offer because of that sign on the lawn" 

Say nothing. Either the home will sell to the right buyers or it won't.

Just say OUCH.....and like the religious and family photographs,,,just say NO

Keep it Switzerland, neutral. You just shot yourself in the foot otherwise because someone is on the other side of the political fence. Buyers don't purchase because of party allegiance. Done because this one works for me, is priced right and how fast can you move?

I wouldn't say anything until I start receiving feedback from the buyers and agents. If a negative response is received, then and only then will I discuss with the seller that the sign has become a distraction for X out of X potential buyers that has viewed your home. Perhaps it is time to remove the sign to prevent this from becoming an ongoing problem that may prevent the sale of the house.

I don't, political views are better left alone

If a seller had signs in their yard I would bring up the topic about it being a distraction and a possible deterrent to buyers. If they wish to continue then I would leave it alone but remind them about our conversation if it doesn't get showings or offers.

Some folks want to make a statement, even if it might cost them a sale.

I believe it is my professional duty to help my seller get the best price possible. I tactfully explain that we need to be as neutral as possible in all areas, including

I tactfully explain that we need to be as neutral as possible in all areas, including politics, so that we do not discourage or alienate anyone.  

Then I let them decide and I do not say any more.

Mr. and Mrs. Seller, I noticed that you have a "Vote For X" sign in your yard. I admire your passion and support for the candidate but I cannot guarantee that everyone who comes to view your prtoperty will share your political feelings. In fact it might disuade them to seriously consider your property. I know that may sound juvenile but I felt it my duty to inform you, what do you think?

I say you are aliening at least 50% of the market

 It's all business, what do you value more politics or selling your home? Declutter, declutter, declutter.

As others have stated, remaining as neutral as possible is the best.  

"While it is protected speech and I encourage the expression of their political beliefs and exercising of the first ammendment, not everyone shares your political views and it may turn off potential buyers.  It's your choice."

Saying nothing may be the best policy. 

I don't care who's sign it is. Take it down.

I am with Kathleen Luiten on this one

Haven't had this problem show up. If I did; I might mention the preference to get them to remove it to help with the selling process.

I see a few comments with "I don't care" in them.

I tend to take myself out of the equation and put myself in the buyer's shoes. How would the "buyer" feel? 

True story: I listed a home in a rural setting sometime back. The owner flew a confederate flag next to the road. He was the nicest and most respectful guy that I had met in a long time. The house was updated, and suited for a small family or could be used as an investment property.

I got a LOT of traffic on the home, but the home didn't sell. His friends who were interested did not qualify or didn't want to pay the list price; which was market price for the area and time. The people who did qualify - quite a few - and were interested couldn't get over the flag next door. After much discussion, he eventually agreed to replace the flag, but put up a similar flag with an identical symbol on it. Traffic stayed steady, but potential, qualified buyers could not get over The Flag Next Door (book coming soon!).

I stay neutral but request they do the same during the listing.

How about the client who took a dead tree and chainsawed the trunk into he shape of his favorite baseball team.  It happened to me.  Soultion was easy.  We found a buyer who loved that team as well.    Lucky I know.

My wife and I sold a house we owned to a young couple.  During the closing the young couple came back several times to take measurements..etc etc etc.  Thye asked us to remove our son's swingset because they had lost a small child a year before and it was hard for them to see that.  We removed it that day.

As someone else suggested perhaps it is better to go nuetral.

Like the color of paint, everyone has an opinion!

 It would be wise to mention that in this political season, it would be best to keep your political affiliations close to your vest.

Good morning Angela. I would compliment them, that they are willing to speak up and that doesn't matter if I agree with their choice or not.

I would discuss the issues this could cause and let the seller decide.

The PC side of me would NOT suggest they remove it (1st Amendment is Freedom of Speech), especially if I agree with their choice of politician .  The Realtor in me who wouldn't want them to potentially risk losing a buyer or even a showing would be tempted to suggest removal of the sign at least until we get a contract.  I'd at least make sure the sign didn't show up in the photos.  In the end, I wouldn't suggest the removal of it if for no other reason than my county's Fair Housing laws prohibit discrimination because of political affiliation. 

Any one who feels strong enough to put a political sign and a for sale sign up is not going to care what the Realtor thinks.  Its not my place to try to interfere or silence someones free speech.

Initially, I would say nothing. If there was negative feedback, then I would address it based on that.

The others have given good advice.

Everyone entitled to their opinion and has right to speak freely. I do not think the value of the house will drastically change of the seller and the potential buyer support different candidates. 

I tell them to save it for the yard of their new home.

In our great land, at least in my province, we won't be having any elections at federal, provincial or municipal level for a few years.  The most recent one concluded last fall.

I truly doubt a sign matters. I personally lean way to one side but buying a house I could care less if a sign for a scum bucket I can't stand is in the yard.

I explain the issues with doing so and then let them decide

Depending on the sign...

"Where can I get one of those?"

Or

"That red sign makes this look like an angry house."

"Well I'm mad as hell! I  want them ALL out!"

"I hear you." Then I leave it a l o n e !

I'd say something like "Great to see that you are involved in our wonderful Democracy. Please know that there are SOME (probably few) who will be offended and not further their interest in buying your home. I've seen it happen when a buyer says 'Just go to the next house.'"