Late last week, I ran out for a “Service Call” to help another Home Stager who needed some blinds hung and did not have the hardware.  While there, she told me all of the things they needed to get done before the home could go to market.  So I offered to throw my hat into the ring for some of the Exterior Maintenance items.  The home really needed some help with Curb Appeal.

I delivered a proposal for about a dozen different things that needed to be done on the Exterior, including, cleaning the gutters on the first level.  There was so much back up of material in the gutters (right) that not only could you see the piles mounding over the edge, but there were little Oak trees sprouting in the material that had biodegraded.

Imagine my surprise when reviewing the quote with the homeowner when he asked, “Do I really need to clean the gutters?”

Taken by surprise, I really did not know what to say.  As a result, I went with my instincts, and splurted, “I suppose not… I could pull the small trees and plant some annuals up there  to add some seasonal color…”

It was one of those moments, where there is quiet on the phone, and you realize that maybe the Speaking part of your brain was working too fast for the Thinking part of your brain.  [Note: Sarcasm does often not play off well and be extermely careful who you try it with, as it easily could have lost me the job] After several awkward moments, he sighed and said, “There’s that much stuff, huh?  Well, I guess I see what you mean…”

I imagine it’s easy for me to say as the Home Stager, but home owners should understand that you are receiving beneficial information from your Stager that will help in the sale of your home.  Trusting us is, for lack of a better phrase, a necessary evil.  Not every one can be a Real Estate Pro – heck, not even every Real Estate Pro is a Pro… but if you have gone through the trouble of hiring a Home Stager, or two in this case I guess, why would you want to argue about some thing as simplistic as making sure the home looks its best from the street?

For the record, he was advised by the Listing REALTOR, the primary Home Stager, and myself that he should consider painting the exterior to a more neutral blending color. It’s the brightest house on the street.  And on that subject, he would not budge.  At least he let me clean his gutters…

This house in NW Austin should be on the market any day now!