Setting a dining room table for an OH?

Thoughts on doing this? I haven't been to any open houses that I have seen this but someone said it is a nice touch.

Thoughts?

Re: Setting a dining room table for an OH?

It honestly depends. I've see it both ways. Its definitely a nice touch but do you really want strangers coming in and touching your plates and glasses?

On the other hand it shows nicely and will send a certain vibe out to potential buyers.

I've been to ALOT of open houses and I can only recall 1 or 2 that had their table set. It was definitely a cute touch but its not something that would make or break my decision about a house.

Re: Setting a dining room table for an OH?

I would do it. I like it. And on HGTV, when they're staging houses, they always do it.

Re: Setting a dining room table for an OH?

In the past 4 weeks we have visited 50 houses. Only one of which actually had the dining room table set. We did not set our dining room table. We have an empty centerpiece bowl and two candle sticks on our dining room table. That set up or just a large bowl seems to be the norm from the houses we have seen.

I will say I did make a mental note of the home with the full set up - it was a cute house but not the one for us. I am the less is more type of home buyer.

Message edited 4/17/2011 11:33:29 PM.

Re: Setting a dining room table for an OH?

I agree that it's not a make or break point. For an open house -- or any showing -- the most important thing is to have everything clean and decluttered and de-personalized as much as possible, and to turn on lights and pulll up shades. Make everything look as light and airy and spacious as possible.

As far as staging, I think it's most effective in a home that is not currently lived in. For example, in an estate sale, where the homeowner is deceased and no longer living there, but often times their furniture is still there, the house can sometimes feel a little cold and vacant and unlived in. So doing things like setting the table or adding fresh flowers and plants can bring some vibrancy and life to the house and give it a more "homey vibe."

I also think setting the table with fine china and other staging techniques work well for a more high-end property, where the whole house is staged and you have formal living spaces, such as a large formal dining room.

For the average home on the market on LI, I wouldn't say it's a must. But it couldn't hurt to do it -- and if you have nice dishes and a dining room table already, it's an easy thing to do that doesn't cost a cent.