Doug Francis | Realtor

  • Our Business
  • About Me
  • Sell Your Home
  • Contact

The Gift Shop Syndrome

October 1, 2012 By Doug Francis

Gift Shop

Gift Shop (Flickr credit: beautifulcataya)

Ugh, their house looks like a gift shop!

You can’t imagine how many times I have heard that observation from home buyers in a hushed tone so that the home sellers couldn’t hear. Hey, that comment really needs to be taken to heart by anyone planning to sell their home anytime in the future.

The reality is that your stuff is a turn-off, is distracting, and making your house look smaller than it really is… are you following?

Honestly, that collection of art things reflects your taste, and you should do everything to preserve that collection before you put your home on the market.

Tip: Avoid looking like a gift shop

When your Realtors give me a call asking for feedback on homes that my client got the gift-shop-vibe from,  I constructively give them ways of giving their client useful and helpful advice.

For example, the way I do that is by allowing them to say “that guy from RE/MAX said that your hand-blown glass collection…” you can fill in the rest.

In reality, by not wanting to hurt your feelings, your agent is not helping you. Understand that today’s home buyers are glued to HGTV’s programming and maybe it’s about time for you to tune in too. Please?

Over this past weekend I told an agent who was holding an open house that she honestly needed to tell the home sellers that they needed to thin out their stuff by 30% because we could barely walk around the house. And that my clients were looking at the stuff, not the house.

Hence, the gift shop syndrome!

Getting that perfect accent piece at Pier 1 Imports or Target is fine – do it.

But if your house looks like you have walked into HomeGoods, …well, then you are off the mark by a mile.

I give my home seller clients a checklist for getting their home ready to sell in 30 days. The goal is to make a mental shift from being an owner to being a competitive seller. You want positive attention, not come across as another yard sale.

So get to work, get a truthful opinion of your home, and think to yourself, “does my home look like a gift shop?”

Related articles

Read about the new Town of Vienna Leaf Collection schedule

  • Can my Home’s Location Change?
  • Radical Changes on Church Street
  • Your Earnest Money Deposit
Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

Filed Under: Blog, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: HGTV, real estate

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Being able to guide my clients through many real estate sales, either moving out, moving in, or just across town, has been a rewarding experience that helps when discussing a plan with a future client.

Being able to help them focus and understand our proven sales plan always eases their anxiety of this looming personal task. And, putting it into bite-sized steps always helps them get where they really want to be.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the town tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Thinking of Moving?

Let me know if you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market. Let me know if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here and let's talk.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Remove your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA
Home project during pandemic

It’s Okay! Pretend like you’re Getting Ready to Sell

Right now, having a do-able home project may be just what you need to reduce your stress levels. Really, it’s okay to pretend a little while improving your home and current lifestyle. Putting together plans to help my clients prepare their homes to appeal to the Vienna real estate market is always fun, but, these […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My elite clientele has been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Logo for Washingtonian Best 2020
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2021 · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Deciding where you should start is often the most complex decision when planning a move.

I help my clients achieve their real estate goals starting with a plan.

Let’s talk, and give your dream a deadline.


Please know that we don’t share your phone number, email or any other information you provide.