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Douglas Trudeau, MBA, Assoc. Broker, Selling Tucson Real Estate (Tierra Antigua Realty)

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Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

The counters should certainly be uncluttered...I don't know that you need to remove everything though...

Mar 07, 2015 12:41 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

The countertops should be minimal. I am not a fan of totally bare as it looks too antiseptic. A small appliance or flowers or pottery are not overwhelmong to me.

Mar 07, 2015 12:23 AM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

Looks good - though does not feel like kitchen.

Feb 28, 2018 08:16 AM
Rainer
36,545
Robert Kennedy
Chase International - Zephyr Cove, NV

I would tend to agree with John when he writes "clear the decks" However, a kitchen with no appliences tends to look unnatural.  I would suggest you work closely with your photographer to accievie the disired look. If you seller has cruddy appliences, remove them and replace them with good ones. A good rule of thumb is - when in doubt, leave it out.

Mar 13, 2015 05:34 PM
Rainer
105,987
Chris Mamone
Keller Mortgage - Tacoma, WA
Senior Loan Officer

I would say that as long as it looks clean and proportional to the space it could help the buyer picture their devices on the counter and give them a good feel for space.

Mar 10, 2015 04:51 AM
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6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Clutter free is important.

Dec 01, 2019 10:34 PM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

Yes!

Jul 15, 2018 10:40 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

yes

Mar 25, 2016 11:31 PM
Rainmaker
533,993
Robert Havana
Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking - Calgary, AB
Alberta Real Estate License Parking

just looking back through some of the old questions and answers, looks like you got some good replies.

Mar 14, 2016 03:56 PM
Rainmaker
104,265
Cat Zwicker, CRS
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

While it is important to declutter counter space not every item needs to be removed or the space will look clinical. Whatever is left out should be clean and look appropriate in the space. 

Mar 13, 2015 10:41 AM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

I agree.  However, in something like pic shown, I would add flowers or some warmth of color (kitchen towels...trivets)...or plants!

Mar 09, 2015 05:21 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

If a home is occupied, I like to leave a few small appliances for the pictures, so long as it doesn't look cluttered. But I don't like totally denuding a kitchen--too cold.

Mar 07, 2015 08:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Depends on the size. Some of them are really nice.

Yet, the property is sold without them. So, if the seller don't mind to remove them during the photo shoot~ it is better.

Mar 07, 2015 03:50 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

There should not be any clutter, but i find most of my clients don't mind a lived in home that is clean and neat.

Mar 07, 2015 12:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I think everything should be removed from the kichen counters, so you can see the kitchen counters!

Mar 07, 2015 11:52 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I like the minimum on the counter tops, but if the Sellers are still living in the home, they may need the coffee pot.    I usually ask if the items they do not use daily go back into a cabinet. 

Mar 07, 2015 11:36 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Absolutley, yes! They add no appeal to a counter whatsoever!

Mar 07, 2015 11:34 AM
Ambassador
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Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

It depends.  A completely bare counter looks lime a vacant home, one with just the right amount of items, will have a lived in or staged look.  Even when you look at furniture or kitchen ads, you will see some amount of decorative or functional items. 

Mar 07, 2015 09:46 AM
Rainmaker
331,698
Bruce Swedal
Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate

They should be removed to give a spacious and uncluttered appearance.

Mar 07, 2015 09:01 AM
Rainmaker
474,492
Bill Dandridge
MKB, Realtors - Roanoke, VA
GREEN, ABR, GRI, EcoBroker

As long as it is sparse with a ample counter space, I do not mind seeing those items. If their presence causes a huge reduction of valuable horizontal space in the kitchen, yes, remove them. It does add a bit of reality to the kitchen if we see them, though.

Mar 07, 2015 08:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

The picture looks great without those items, Douglas Trudeau - however it does not look natural!

Modern kitchen does have those gadgets.

Mar 07, 2015 08:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't mind seeing a few appliances.  It might give the kitchen a warmer appearance.

Mar 07, 2015 05:04 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I like to stage countertops with a few attractive items. That can be a nice coffee machine, fruit bowl, etc. But definitely just a few and nicely polished!

Mar 07, 2015 04:21 AM
Rainmaker
359,372
Debra B Albert, PA - Keyes Realty
Keyes Realty Treasure Coast, 34986 - Port St Lucie, FL
Ron and Debbie 772.708.3292

i believe so, I would recommend it and do.  I want people to picture the space and imagine their belongings there. 

Mar 07, 2015 03:58 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Oh, now I can see it, and yes, too bare.  Also, back splash and counter top is very polarizing, so hiding some of it may be a double win.

And, interesting enough, the popular kitchen pictures on pinterest, houzz, etc do have things on them such as a few appliances and flowers, etc.

To me, this UNSTAGED.

Mar 07, 2015 03:18 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

In general, less is more...unless it's too stark.  I have a poor connection and can't see this photo, but based on the comments, it sounds like it may be too bare.

Mar 07, 2015 03:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Color in the glass door cabinets and a valance over the sink which complimented them could remove some of the sterility. There's no need for small appliances to decorate the countertop Douglas Trudeau.

Mar 07, 2015 03:13 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Douglas,

That does look unlived.  I would leave out a nice looking coffee machine, and maybe a vase of flowers.  This shot does not look 'lived in."  A

Mar 07, 2015 02:59 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Douglas --- the photo you share looks too bare to me --- I believe in tasteful moderation in photos and for everyday showings when a home is occupied.  

Mar 07, 2015 02:57 AM
Rainer
279,354
John Crosby
Real Property, Inc. - Marblehead, MA

I tell my listing clients to "clear the decks".  I don't want the listing to look "lived-in" for the photos and for the showings.

Mar 07, 2015 01:10 AM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Yes, not only for photos but we want sellers to put them away after use so the counters show as much space as possible for showings-especially in smaller kitchens with limited counter space.

Mar 06, 2015 11:46 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

You bet!

Unless the appliance is a high end, styl'n focal point. If the appliance becomes the kitchen, be prepared to negotiate it away.

The objective to the homeowner would be to never suggest anything other than copious space, on the kitchen counter, closets. floors. it is simply part and parcel of DECLUTTER!

Mar 06, 2015 11:02 PM
Rainmaker
927,795
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I believe they should. It gives the kitchen a cleaner look and doesn't distract from the look of the kitchen...Beautiful photo, by the way. 

Mar 06, 2015 10:42 PM