What Does a Cantaloupe Have To Do With Selling Real Estate?

Karen OttoNo CommentsUncategorized

A lot if you ask me.

One of my favorite tips to share with my clients when giving them information during a home staging consultation and explaining what to pack when preparing their home for sale is to

Pack up anything smaller than a cantaloupe. 

This reference for scale also helps eliminate any awkward or involved conversations that may ensue about said items smaller than this lovely fruit. It has nothing to do with me not “liking” the item(s) but it has everything to do with taking better MLS photos and removing the visual clutter, which very well may be covering up or overshadowing the parts of the home you are actually SELLING!

The cantaloupe is an easy to remember for scale visual that helps clients understand what needs to be packed without repeating in every room “pack the” (you fill in the blank & this includes small framed art or photos, examples below):

  • Spoon collection
  • Hummel, Precious Moments or other like collectibles
  • Paper weights
  • Turtle, pig, cow or other small fake animals that may roam the house collection (in my house it’s the pigs)
  • The list could go on and on

Now some collections and items are contained in large curio cabinets or wall shelving units that may work for the collection. It is still a common recommendation to pack up those types of items (including the curio cabinet) however if a client refuses, it’s best to suggest that the entire collection be contained in one location as a group and to pack up any access outliers if there are a random smattering around. (You can’t win all battles).

I even shared this tip on FOX 4 Good Day Dallas! when I was asked to come in to do a segment on home staging. It’s that good! (can you find it?)

So if you need an easy way to help a home seller remember a visual to help them pack before photos and showings, feel free to blame use the sweet cantaloupe as a point of reference.