Hi Herman!
I am about to sell my huge loft in San Francisco. it has soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, a downtown view, glazed concrete floors - the works!
My mom, who used to be a real estate agent in my hometown in Ohio, is sparring with me about how to best stage it. She thinks we should target families because of the large square footage: make one of the rooms kid-friendly, have a dining room with cupboard, etc.
It doesn’t feel right. Help!
-Alvin
Oh Alvin, this doesn’t feel right because this is wrong on so many levels! If I have said this once, I’ve said it a million times: Match your decor with the architectural style. Meaning, you don’t decorate an uber-sleek, edgy loft with Oriental throw rugs, floral wallpaper and lace doilies!
That is one of my pet peeves with property owners. I typically see this situation happen to my bachelor clients. (i’ve noticed lofts tends to be a very male purchase, no matter what orientation you are). They buy a loft, deck it out with surround sound, minimalist furniture, and a flat screen TV – i.e., a simple and clean vibe.
Then a girlfriend moves in, and all of a sudden there’s fluffy pillows, french drapes, match-y towels, etc. Hey, some of us girls like to nest (…take it from me!) but rules are rules. Unlike outfits, you don’t get to mix and match.
There is no girlfriend in your case, Alvin. Just your mother.
If your mother had it her way, there would be an antique crystal chandelier above the dining area, potpourri bowls on the coffee table….all against a backdrop of modern steel, concrete, exposed brick, open beams.
Schizophrenic decor! This will confuse any buyer who is unfortunate enough to waltz into your open house. Is it Devil Wears Prada or is it Mama’s Family? Who lives here? Gals from Sex in the City or the Beverly Hillbillies?
I think your mom is re-living her past vicariously through the sale of your property. Maybe she sold homes in the 1980’s, but she has to understand it is now 2011. This is San Francisco, not Ohio.
Tell your mom there are more dogs per capita in San Francisco than kids. That should tell you the target demographic. Despite the large square feet, families are not going to seek out lofts to cage all those tykes. They are going to gravitate towards an actual house. Lofts typically attract artists, single yupppies, hipsters, young couples, and lots of gay men in SF.
And if you don’t mind me saying Alvin, it’s time to stop being a mama’s boy! This is your property. You bought it. You own it. You’re selling it. You are a grown ass man who can stick up for himself.
Say, “Mom, I love you but your staging advice, albeit well intentioned, is without taste.” Go ahead, stab her in the heart!
Well, if you just can’t break it to her, have your current realtor do it for you. We are used to breaking bad news to people in this market. Or better yet, hire a professional stager and hide behind her advice.
Herman Chan, a realtor, has appeared on HGTV’s House Hunters, My House is Worth What, and as a commentator on other networks. Realtor Magazine called him the “Internet Sensation Videoblogger.” Chan’s columns on real estate alternate with his video blogs on real estate every week on 365gay.
