Sunday, December 11, 2011

Open House Sunday 30

Let's Compare...
Two houses for sale in my neighborhood.
(built 1936)
The two homes I am showing today could not be more different in their decor.
The first which does not have wonderful furniture is sparingly staged.
The second is full of antiques and pieces of character. 
Which one do you think shows the house off better.

In contrast check out this home...
built 1929
View out the front door to the park.

I can tell you I've been in both homes and the second one is the nicer house of the two.
Actually, it's fabulous. It has a big backyard with stone patio and upper deck off the top floor.
Both of which were not shown in the photos.
And although this is a fantastic home...you really can't see what it looks like for all the 
stuff in it. 
A friend of mine actually owns it. It's wonderful to be among all her knick knacks when you are there.
It feels like you are in Norma Desmond's home on Sunset Boulevard.
But this is a good example that a home should be cleared out to the bare minimum to show it off well for selling.

23 comments:

  1. I just love your neighborhood! You're right the first one does show better due to no clutter and neutral paint. I know when we sell our house, I'll probably have to change some of my blue rooms to a neutral color. Hope you have a grand day. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  2. Oh wow, what a difference! It is hard to see past all the stuff and the heavy colors of the second house. A good lesson for all!

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  3. While looking at the first one I thought I would say the second one. Then when I saw all the stuff, wow. I do like the colors and etc. but too much. The first one was so sparse but I liked the bedrooms.
    I enjoy your tours alot.

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  4. I agree with you; the first house shows better. There are certainly some great pieces in the second house, but they distract from the rooms, I think!

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  5. I agree, Nita. It is overkill on house 2-even though it is gorgeous in person. House #1 would be better if the furniture were more in character with the period of the house.

    I sure love seeing these house tours you do. They are so much fun...and I LOVE your neighborhood! xo Diana

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  6. The first house is neat and the spaces look open, fresh and clear with not so much furnishings to distract the eye. The second house is probably pretty, but!..it drove me crazy the ugly decorations and furnishings, awful! Thanks for sharing, it was fun to see. Merry Christmas. FABBY

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  7. Oh, wow, what a diff! If I were a buyer I might try a lowball offer hoping noone else could see the good bones behind all the "stuff"

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  8. I am a realtor and think house #1 shows MUCH better. A buyer can imagine themselves in that home better than #2 ... House #2 shows too much of the owner's personality....very distracting.. it is a beautiful home, just way too cluttered for showing buyers..the buyers will be too busy checking out all the antiques and knick knacks..Both have great curb appeal!Let us know which one sells first!

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  9. The first one had great built-ins! Love the vintage features. The second one blinded me.

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  10. I know for a fact the first one will sell, just because people can visualize their own stuff in that house...the second one is overwhelmingly loaded up with a style that is so personal and specific that it will be hard to imagine anyone else ever living there (although I do think it is very bohemian in spirit and I can appreciate it).

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  11. I agree with the above comments.
    as far as the exteriors go, I prefer the second one, but it could be because of the dark trim on the first.
    I read somewhere that we start to get used to "clutter" around our homes because we see it everyday. They said to go around taking photos of your rooms and when you REALLY look at them, you will have a fresh eye and be shocked. I know sometimes when I take a photo to post on my blog I suddenly see a shoe or dog toy that was invisible to me before.
    :)

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  12. I totally agree. Her furniture is beautiful but you really can't see the house.
    Traci

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  13. the second house is full of her stuff and if it isnt your style then perhaps ordinary couple could not look past it. as for the green and ivory walls in one of the bedrooms. that ivory makes the ceiling look like its coming down on top of you. i love the style of both homes...hugs JoAnn

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  14. I agree...when you want to sell your home, your personality needs to be packed away because it is no longer your home! Both houses are fabulous, and I love what you said about Nora Desmond, LOL!!!

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  15. I didn't like either of them :(
    Lisa

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  16. Actually, neither are staged properly for selling. The first one is a little too sparse, and needs more updated furniture. And the second house need neutral paint and de-cluttering, and de-personalizing.

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  17. Neither one is GREAT! But the 1st at least shows the house.

    I take it your friend isn't serious in her attempt to sell her house. If she was, she'd have cleared things out and staged her house already...and I'm sure you suggested that to her. Right? :)

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  18. I absolutely agree with you. The 2nd house looks soooo cluttered and it is hard to look past that. Your friend should clean that sucker up and I bet it will sell for 20% more than it would as is.

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  19. While house #2 could use a bit more organization, it looks more lived in than house #1, more cozy and inviting. House #1 is too bare, impersonal and cold.

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  20. Both homes are wonderful, and I would gladly take either of them. BUT . . . too much stuff is too much stuff. And too much red is too much red. - - HollyM

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  21. Actually I think they are both ugly.

    They are both on the opposite ends of the spectrum.

    One so sparce of decor it does not looked lived in..giving the home a vacant , unloved, unlived feeling.

    The other so discombobulated it is a strain to even look at.

    I find that in an effort to sell, you have to make it look like you wanna, or cannot wait to live in a place....that being a balance between the two ends of the spectrum.

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  22. I love the outside of both homes - and I have not doubt both homes would be perfect for ME once I got all of the seller's belongings out. :) So fun seeing your open house posts.

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  23. i love both homes, and some of the furniture in the second one is amazing, but you can see the actuall home better in the first house. there's just too much stuff in the second. and the red room is way to much, i would paint it a neutral color. the outsides are great one both. what a fun post!

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