Blank Canvas vs. A Life Well Lived vs. An Aspirational Life
Written by: Compass Chief Evangelist - Leonard Steinberg
The recent Los Angeles fire devastation has inadvertently gifted us everywhere a renewed appreciation for HOME: the tragic images of people sifting through the burned ashes of their memories is brutally painful. It serves as another reminder that homes are not merely walls, roofs, space, etc. They are the canvas of our lives, our own 'masterpiece'.....
We as real estate marketers are often confronted with a seller where there are ultimately just three options in how we present their home to the outside world/markets upon resale or renting:
1. We can clear out all furnishings and traces of the 'current/past life' and showcase a blank canvas, possibly whited out to leave everything else to the imagination of the viewer.
2. We can leave things exactly as they are, or moderately modified, cleaned up or simplified that showcases the life of those who have lived in the home. Sometimes when it's ELLE DECOR Editorial-worthy, tidy and beautiful, this can be invaluable. However, even some exquisitely designed homes may just appeal to a very small audience.
3. We can paint, renovate, stage, etc to showcase an aspirational life, one that inspires to a better, more beautiful environment that we dream of as we scroll Pinterest and other media that broadcasts beautiful homes. When YOU spend a lot of money are you looking to improve your life? Most are.
Research shows that a small minority of people have really, really good imagination, anywhere from 5-10% of the population. Which may answer the question as to what might be the best approach. The cost of staging (as well as the cost of living elsewhere while this happens) has to be weighed up against the benefits one might achieve in:
1. The transaction price.
2. The cost of time.
There is a difference between decorating a home and presenting a home for sale, one being significantly more personal and the other designed to appeal to a wide audience. Agents know the difference and can direct their clients accordingly.