The other day, I showed a house to some lovely people who I suspect just might be, um, Republicans. And when we arrived, there it was, right in the front yard! An Obama Biden sign. Now, here in Washington there are a lot of them. There are fewer McCain Palin signs. I mean it's Washington, DC, with more Democrats per square foot than almost anyplace else on the planet.
But sorry. When your house is For Sale, and if I (or any good Realtor) am your listing agent, I will suspend your First Amendment rights when it comes to political signs in your front yard. Actually, that applies to any type of political decor involving you and any president or presidential wanna be after Harry Truman.
I made one set of clients purge their bookcases to neutralize them politically. I made others lost the pictures on their refrigerator door that were taken with a president. We may be more sensitive to this stuff here than people are in other parts of the counry, but real estate and politics just don't mix.
So if you want to support your favorite candidate, send money. Show up and vote on election day.
But if your house is for sale, a yard sign ro any political advertising in your home, has to be taboo!
This sorta verifies what my blog was about two days ago. You shouldn't wear your political preference to work, in my opinion.
I agree Pat, when you have your house up for sale, you need to appeal to the most people possible, kind of like neutralizing your decor.
I also think agents should never put who they support on their cars either. Might just turn a client off. Never can tell.
Real estate and politics don't mix. Think of it this way the odds are that no matter which sign you have in front of your yard or on your bumper sticker...you'll tick off at least 50% of the people seeing. If your selling your house why risk starting off that way.
Great advice. We need to use everything we can to sell the listing.
Pat - I was shock when I saw a Broker in my area displaying her preference in front of her office door. What was she thinking? I am sure that cost her busy. This happened weeks ago, today I noticed the signs were gone maybe the light bulb went off...Lol
Hi Pat... Back in 2004, I actually had a client say they would pull their listing before they would lose their John Kerry yard sign. They said that some things are more important and that if a buyer could not see past a yard sign then they must not be very interested anyway! The house did sell, but John Kerry did not win, despite my sellers' support.
Isn't this the truth! I've had to tell sellers before to take down the political signs too - I don't want to turn off any potential buyers and I certainly don't want any competition for MY sign :)
No doubt about it! Although there's a guy in my office who got a deal because who showed his buyers in a car with a McCain sticker on it. It's a coin toss who wants those odds?
Pat - Political signs and advertising during a home sale is almost similar to the display of religious shrines and statements throughout a home? But, I can never bring myself to tell people to get rid of their religion.
Pat,
I agree 100% - real estate and politics just don't mix. Last week, a TV reporter from NY was to arrive here in Florida this week and called me to ask if she could interview some of my clients, who were losing their homes to ask them who they were voting for on election day. I totally refused and stated real estate and politics don't mix.
Absolutely!
Nuff said.
I showed a home on Sunday that had a picture of Barak Obama holding the seller's baby. My buyer's were really impressed although they made an offer on another place.
I couldn't agree more. People are very emotional when it comes to supporting their political party, especially in this election. The last thing a potential buyer or client wants to see is support for the other side.
Hi Pat,
Absolutely! Or would the Seller prefer not to sell to a member of the opposing political party?
Indeed! Replace the political yard signs with pink flamingos (jut teasing). Yard clutter, generally, is bad news but the political sensitivity, especially in the DC area, is very high.
Patricia, wise words from a good Realtor. Keep neutral, a seller never wants to turn away a potential home buyer. Keep those political, religious etc signs and "stuff" away from outside and inside a home for sale.
I totally agree that a listed home should appear neutral. Only 5 more days to endure!
Hi Patricia. Oh my. I have mentioned this to sellers and they don't even think about the possible ramifications of putting a sign in their yard. They don't need any unnecessary obstacles when trying to sell their home. :)
Just like I tell sellers the paint and decor on the interior needs to be neutral to attract a wider spectrum of buyers, the exterior decor needs to be also! Buyers are funny and it's amazing how they can let anything sway their opinion about a home. Interestingly, I've heard of a buyer that wanted to offer significantly less because they didn't like the political sign in the yard.
I agree and have advised sellers that it's a bad mix. But I find it pretty sad that politics have become so divisive, partisianship so nasty (in both directions) that it is good advice to pull the political sign.
I have to wonder if everyone agreed to do what is in the best interest... and put nevermind... that sort of comment will lead to a rant, either from me or from someone else.. it's not worth it. :)
I'm just glad I only have to listen to the ads for a few more days.
Patricia - good point. Politics are such a hot button. Leaving out your signage COULD be the kiss of death in a market where folks will walk away becuase they don't like the paint color. Of course other signs in the neighborhood might not helpeither, depending on your persuasion.
BTW I think Boston may rival DC for the number of Dems. At least it seemed that way when I lived there. Such a change to come to San Diego.
Jeff
Pat, so true. If your home is up for sale then nothing in the yard that is political or controversial ever.