400,356
From a purely business perspective, the polical signs should be removed.
Some people will think the seller is terrific and smart because their politics align with theirs. People who disagree with the signage will think the seller is an idiot and a dumb ass.
It could cut both ways, but it does seem like the seller could potentially be reducing the buyer pool.
If the seller insists on keeping the political signage regardless of the potential downsides associated with the sale, that's fine. Good for them for standing by their values. Of course, that only applies if their politics are the same as mine.
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Chris Lima
Port St Lucie, FL
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Fred Cope
Nashville, TN
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Troy Erickson AZ Realt...
Chandler, AZ
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
1,513,143
They still own their property so yes if they want but it should be explained to them it could cause a prospective buyer to frown on the property even though it fits their needs.
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Richard L. Sanderson
Kalama, WA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Troy Erickson AZ Realt...
Chandler, AZ
-
Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
4,319,873
Frank Rubi, MBA I think it's a big 'NO NO' at least for me - unless sellers insist on that!
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
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Praful Thakkar
Burlington, MA
1,729,017
I am with Praful Thakkar on this, but let's face it; the political scene has devided our Country so much this time around and there are some very high emotions.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Jill Murty, Realtor - ...
Laguna Niguel, CA
634,532
I agree it is good to discourage this while the property is listed for sale.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
914,328
They could cause unneeded distractions. I would at least move it to other end of lot.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
699,277
Reluctantly I would have to ask them to remove the sign until we're under contract.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
443,156
Anything that distracts from the house should go. Just like we tell people to depersonalize their homes on the inside, this is the same on the outside. Should it matter? No. But all know the effect of homes that are highly personalized, whether there is a collection on photos on all walls, hunting trophies mounted in the house or a shrine in the back yard. We want to appeal to as many people as possible.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
5,117,828
I tell my sellers that when selling, personal, political and religous things needs to "disappear."
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
2,224,473
I do leave it up to the seller. I have made jokes about these signs with my buyers. I call them halloween decorations. Oh look how the seller decorated their yard for halloween.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
150,719
I don't mind it. If someone is not going to buy over who someone supports their loss. Buying the house not seller
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Awilda Caberto, Realtor®
Austin, TX
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
443,220
I wouldn't recommend putting a political sign up next to an open house sign...but approaching the seller about it may be delicate.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
784,786
I admire their conviction, not their marketing wisdom.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
432,383
I would certainly explain to the seller that (s)he may alienate some potential buyers with the sign especially if inventory is high. Unfortunately, some buyers may drive by and just cross that one off of the list. One never knows what someone's reaction will be. Once I have explained the pros and cons, I have done my job and the final decision is that of the informed seller.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
323,664
Hello Frank. Excellent topic and the timing is perfect.
In this highly charged and irrational time, there is an added consideration for what one displays in one's own yard. When one cannot freely fly Ole Glory on their property, the what can be displayed without risk? I do not wish to make more of it than that; but there are considerations beyond the marketing considerations of clutter, distraction, and possible home owner association rules. There are evil people running around shooting folks for NO VALID REASON. As a buyers' agent, it has crossed my mind that there are elements of our society with nothing to restrain them from riding down a street and emptying an assault weapon on a home where a nine year old girl is sitting in her mother's bed doing homework. They see no value to life, they are angry, and they need no further motivation. When political signs go up, they are pushed a bit closer toward that edge. Then a REALTOR® pulls up in a shiney new luxury car with well dressed clients walking toward the front door. Is it unimaginable to think there is one more thought I must ponder when I walk my client toward that door? Prayer is my best defense short of showing homes in an armored personnel vehicle. Dramatic? Yes. Another reason for not cluttering a yard with political signs when you are inviting folks to stop by? My security background causes me to look for the unexpected and remove unsafe items. Who ever thought of a yard sign as unsafe?
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
1,712,876
I would not recommend it, but if the price is right it will sell.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
556,279
If the house is great and priced to sell then the sign will not hurt. If it's a tough home to sell then folks who oppose your politics may low ball you.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
171,073
Although it makes sense from various rational perspectives to remove political signs, the property is still owned by the seller. As such, the seller is free to exersie what we appraisers call their "real property rights." As a property owner they may feel strongly about their political point of view and want to express it, but as informed real estate industry professionals we can advise them against doing so - not from a political perspective - but because it affeces the marketability of their property.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
971,283
Thanks to all for the comments. I would vote not to have any addition signs in the front yard.
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Fred Cope
Nashville, TN
2,443,250
I don't think we have any control over what the home owner does in their own yard, however, I would ask them if they would take an offer from the other side.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
1,683,912
ha's one think I don't like about voting time. The For Sale signs get lost in the sea of politicians. There should be some distance between the signs.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
6,426,360
I have heard that it can be a way to weed out potential buyers who may be of a different political ideology that you.
I think it is foolish, but some people think this is important. If I were the listing agent then the sign would be gone.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
979,596
Frank - I would strongly suggest against it, but if the seller insists, I would at least recommend that it not be right next to the For Sale sign. This could cause fewer people to take an interest in the home. I know it shouldn't, but with the way people are, it probably would.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
212,755
I would go with no and also have a conversation with the seller. Best to stay naurual when trying to attract the most amount of people to buy your home.
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Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
3,988,013
4,584,996
767,089
No they shouldn't. I showed a home last weekend in which the seller had a Christian Station on TV playing Christian Music. My clients from India didn't let on that it bothered them. I saw this as being wrong and somewhat political. I'm a Christian so it's not that the music or message would bother me but it seems to be not right.
273,787
As many have pointed out politics is a very polarizing subject. You can eliminate half your buyers with a simple political sign.
Heck, I wouldn't do it even if I weren't selling my home. But that's just me.
1,326,769
When I bring a buyer to see a house I want our conversations to be about the merits or shortcoming of the house. I don’t want to be distracted by a discussion about the seller’s political leanings. A political sign in the yard of a house that is for sale does nothing to enhance the desirability of the house for potential buyers.
2,196,059
Could be the kiss of death! Seller needs to concentrate on selling their house !
4,908,539
In our market they could put anything in their yard and it will still sell.