Over the last couple of days there have been a couple of blog articles written about family photos and the "should they stay or should they go" controversy. Tanya Nouwens writes 3 Common Home Staging Myths which is a really nice article and gives her reason why she likes to leave some photos. I agreed with her reasons. I also understand why some agents and staggers might disagree. It is all up to the seller and their real estate team I suppose.
Then yesterday I came across Donald Tepper's article Family Photos In Staged Homes: Are We Ignoring The Elephant In The Room?
Donald's article really got me thinking. I never think about race or ethnicity in my business. I see everyone as equal and can't even imagine a buyer not buying a home based on the photos they see or an agent for a seller using the seller's race as a reason to remove photos. I just don't think that way. There are no "elephants" in my business.
But, it did get me to thinking. Thinking about some showings I had this past spring. My market area is surrounded by two Navy bases. Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor and Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton. The Navy can be very small at times. Being a Navy spouse I have seen this. Move cross country and find out the military member is being assigned to a unit where they know several members from prior duty stations.
On showings of a military member transferring (PCS'ing) here from Georgia we went into a home that had all of it's owners personal belongings around. The home had not been staged and nothing seemed to be packed away. As we went from room to room we knew that the sailor was a submariner and stationed at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor. We even read on a plauqe what his name was and what his rank and rate were.
The name sounded familiar to my buyer so he got on his cell and called someone he knew here. Sure enough 
it was a person he "knew of". He chatted away with someone on base who gave up lots of detailed information. The person on the other end knew that the seller was retiring and had already left the area. The wife and kids were still living here until school was out and then they wanted to move quick. The house was going to cause a problem if it didn't sell and close by June.
So here with one phone call we found out the motivation of the seller all because of some photos and personal belongings.
This was information that my buyer talked about. I could see the wheels turning as he made comments about how aggressive he could be in his offer if he chose this home. The seller showed his cards and I thought for sure my buyer was going "all in" if he made the offer.
So, yeah now I have changed my mind about photos and personal belongings - they should go. At least I have a story to tell my future sellers if they have objections on removing photos. This will help them understand how important some staging is.
Author:Jo Soss
Jo Soss is the designated Broker and the owner of Homefront Realty in Bremerton Washington. Selling real estate in the greater Puget Sound area since 1994 she has vast knowledge in all aspects of a real estate transaction. Using today's technology with her signature personal service allows her to achieve complete customer satisfaction.
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This is great. I just wrote a quick blog on staging and this ties right into that!
take care,
Lori
I do think the family photo need to go. For a buyer its about seeing thereself in the home and not seeing the other people still there.
I like family photo's down as well. It's really creepy to show a home and have the prospective buyers clue you in about all kinds of personal info about the seller, because they saw the kids high school stuff all over, including pictures. While some would argue that family photo's make the home feel more "real", I would argue that it's very distracting and the family becomes the focus instead of the home.
When you ask a buyer later about the homes, they even name the home with the "family details" as the memory, can't remember anything about the kitchen!
Lori, I will go check that out!
Chuck, I have never thought that way. I think our buyers are smarter than that.
Wanda, that is true. Buyers identify with certain items I guess. It is sad that they choose personal items instead of items that stay with the home. My buyers usually name home by rooms. The blue room, the flower power room, ect :)
What a great example to show sellers what could go wrong. This is an unusual circumstance, but it happens.
Wow I believe this can happen so easily! and this is perfect example. Thanks for sharing.
Tere, Like everything - its local.
Melanie, in an area where everyone works for the same employer I get it would happen more than not :)
I have shown buyers homes where they realized they knew the seller from the photos and they have later given me the scoop on the seller. You are right, it can hurt the seller.
I prefer to take down the family photos just for the privacy reasons mentioned above. I'd never even think about race as a reason to do so. I can't even fathom it. My own family has branched out, and includes Native American, Japanese, and African elements now, and I am so proud of each of them! Blended with our pioneer and even pre-civil war, Irish/English/German/Norwegian roots, they're all so beautiful! We love and cherish them all! So, if I look closely, maybe it's some of my family they're objecting to, displayed on the piano... :)
Jo, I have had the same experience with a Buyer viewing a home and he says, "Honey, we know these people..." and they find out all they need to know. It's a small world.