Friday, September 27, 2013

FAQ's FRIDAY! "What piece of advice do you offer that seller's resist the most?"

Happy Friday, y'all!  It is a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L day in 'Raleighwood'!  I've been working in my studio and outside in the yard.  Don't ya just love fall!
A simple and lovely window treatment from Pottery Barn


What piece of advice do seller's resist the most?
Home owners are most resistant to removing dated and/or fussy window treatments. Their belief is that since they paid big bucks for fabric and labor that the window treatments add value to their house.  Wrong-y Dong-y.  Custom window treatments are typically only of value to the people who bought them.  Custom window treatments were purchased to coordinate with the seller's taste and decor.  It is highly unlikely that the new owner's style be the same as the sellers.  (Especially true, if the sellers are retiring and downsizing their family home to much younger buyers.)

House hunters are buying:
  • the windows
  • the view
  • the sunlight (really--their is never enough lightness and brightness to a room)

Here are a few examples of what I am talking about from houses I consulted on.

 So how do I tell seller's their window treatments need to come down? 

"While your window treatments are lovely and no doubt costly, they probably won't transfer to the new buyers furnishings. Also, we are selling the beautiful view of (insert view) your backyard and want as much sunlight streaming in as possible.  Why don't you consider prepacking the drapes for your new house?  Often, you can have them tailored to fit other windows."

Have a wonderful weekend, my lovelies!

7 comments:

  1. This is good news. Back in the "olden days" I had a heck of a time. A lot of buyers wanted the window treatments to stay, have no idea why?, but it caused a ton of problems between the buyers and sellers. Now I would advise sellers to remove them before the listing was posted. I would leave shades/blinds.

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  2. MC! so honored to hear from Patty's other half! I, too, am a fan of window blinds for selling. Simple is better. Please visit often!

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  3. So right, Linda! My house was filled with 1980's balloons and swags that came down the first week. Why the sweet little old lady thought we would want them, I don't know.

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    1. Ballons and swags are still around in my area. I even saw a valance stuffed with tissue paper recently--remember those?

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  4. Beautifully said, and so diplomatic! I see those heavy treatments often and they look so dated. Love a clean clear view!
    xo Nancy

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  5. Good advice! And I agree with Nancy - beautifully said!

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