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Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573, Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker (MOOERS REALTY)

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Rainmaker
4,572,173
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

"Stripping" has never been a topic of discussion relative to a listing presentation.   Other visual enhancements, sure. Real estate is marketing afterall. 

Mar 17, 2019 12:01 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Andy.... you can't strip a house of finishing touches.... but it cannot be wall to wall photos.... that's nuts.... tastefully done and with the colors that blend well with the rest of the decor.... call a stager!!!

Mar 17, 2019 01:41 PM
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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Perhaps our stagers could chime in:
Kathy Streib 
Sharon Tara 
Laura Cerrano 

Mar 17, 2019 12:50 PM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I've sold many an artist's homes and their creations are always front and centre.  The buyers usually ask if they may buy 1 or 2 pieces. (until they realize the value of course, lol )

 

Mar 17, 2019 11:54 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I never asked them to change/remove art but there were a few that whole walls of family pictures that I advised to remove it all Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 

Mar 17, 2019 11:46 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

A house should not be stripped of everything... personal pictures, yes. Good artwork, placed properly, can enhance the presentation of a home. Is there such a thing as refrigerator art? Everything in moderation.

Mar 17, 2019 11:14 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

A clean slate is nice and I generally suggest it.

Though I have seen some interesting and enjoyable artwork at open houses.

Mar 17, 2019 05:21 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

If there is too much, I tell them cut it in half. No  personal photos like a family gallery. No nudes of anybody even the dog!

Refrigerator needs to be naked 24/7 & free of magnets.

Mar 17, 2019 03:04 PM
Rainmaker
2,383,311
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

You have gotten some great answers so far. 

It's not cut and dry one way or the other...each home is different...depends on the art, its placement, its size and its subject matter.

The objective is to make the home feel as emotionally and visually appealing as possible. You want buyers' perception to be that the home is well cared for and you want the items in the house to enhance in a positive way.

Bare walls are cold and too much artwork and/or accessories on the walls is distracting. You need the right balance...size and placement make all the difference.

I recommend removal of everything from the sides, front and top of refrigerators....everything.

Personal photos are a given....remove.

Artwork that is religious, political, sexual, or personal  should be removed. It could alienate buyers. Sure there are exceptions to the rule, but why take the chance. 

 

Mar 17, 2019 01:40 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

So long as the home is tastefully decorated, I don't recommend any changes.  Removing clutter is always great.  If the art could be offensive to some (nude images, overly religious, etc.) I'd ask them to remove them or tone it down.

Mar 17, 2019 12:48 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I have been a collector for years especially Japanese co0mtemporary art. If the art is good and tasteful it enhances. One buyer on my personal house years back made an offer that included all my artwork.

Mar 17, 2019 12:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Yes

Mar 17, 2019 10:55 AM
Rainer
52,597
Krista Jenkins, REALTOR®
klm Real Estate - Lubbock, TX
Residential sales and retail & office leasing

I once had a residential listing with a room full of velvet nudes. Yes, you read that correctly, velvet nudes. The seller (a friend of the family) REFUSED to remove them because he felt they were art. The photographer kindly offered to blur the images, and I added a private note in the MLS to forewarn other agents. 

Mar 17, 2019 04:26 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Art always helps. I do suggest to have all personal items, photos, and magnets in the fridge remove.

Mar 17, 2019 04:26 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Personality can be a good thing

Mar 17, 2019 03:48 PM
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Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

As with so many things, I think it depends... what is art, what is not? Is it overdone, could it be offensive or distracting? Sellers need to remember they are selling a house so presenting it in a way that is appealing would be more important than artwork that is either personal to them or could be construed as controversial. 

Mar 17, 2019 03:12 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Personal photographs yes. Artwork, that is not offensive in some way, no!

Mar 17, 2019 03:05 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Andrew,

Propertly placed both in luxury and non-luxury homes.  A

Mar 17, 2019 01:33 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Never had anyone base their decision on the art in a house.

Mar 17, 2019 12:58 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Art is very subjective. In your picture I would be advising the homeowner to pare it wayyyyyyy down. There's just too much going on there.

If the buyer cannot envision their own stuff in the house, they won't buy the house.

Mar 18, 2019 06:10 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I think having art on the walls is fine, as long as there is still plenty of wall space visible. 

Mar 18, 2019 03:42 AM
Ambassador
5,229,951
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I have them use tasteful art for staging - and not too much of it. I want the buyers looking at the house, not the artwork!

And, YES, I have them clean off the fridge!

Mar 17, 2019 05:40 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,538
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I did have a listing a few years ago with WAY too much art, and it was expensive too.  They understood.

Mar 27, 2019 03:45 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Decor sells a home and at the very least remains memorable in some way

Mar 18, 2019 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I urge my clients to de-personalize there homes. It is their home, not their relative, personal photos, art, etc., that is on sale. Don't want to distract buyers.

Mar 18, 2019 09:38 AM