Disclaimer, this is not a scientific study. 
Today is a gloomy, misty, grey day here in North Texas and some people may describe it as depressing.
This morning as I was preparing to go on a home staging consultation in Plano, TX I received a call that the time we scheduled was now booked for a showing.
Yes, the house is already listed however feedback is coming in that there are some issues with flow and purpose for one area of the home.
This is a good example of why it's important once you list to showcase your house for optimal impact and why a cost effective home staging consultation PRIOR to listing is so important!
Wouldn't you rather know what needs to be addressed before buyers start giving feedback that there may be a problem?
Now back to the weath
er.
As I hung up the phone I was thinking about the weather and how it may affect the mood of buyers out looking in North Texas today. I know it has a way of making me feel different when it's clear, blue and sunny as well as when it's cold, grey and dreary.
Here were some thoughts;
Here are my responses to the above thoughts:
What are you thoughts on the subject?
Are there any recommendations you'd make to help address the weather issue and how a house shows?
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I beleive the gloom does efffect the way the home is perceived!
The light cast from an overcast day is bluish, and mimicks that of flourescent light. Flourescent light cancels out the color yellow and orange, which is why our skin tends to looks so sallow in flourecescent light . So, any efforts to make a room seems warm and cozy can effectively be diminished to a large capacity by all windows which are allowing the overcast daylight to penetrate the room.
Tan rooms look weirdly lavander. Warm beige looks like wrigley's chewing gum-gray. Blues, grays, and purples get amped up, and can make a room look cold and sterile. Pure white goes icy.
Pumping up the yellow tones with lots of incandescent lighting, as much as possible, on overcast days, and schedule showing nearer to the dusk hour, when the house will glow as a beacon of warmth with the lights on in the waning light.
And if you are doing a in-house color consult, don't give them on overcast days. You might end up overcompensating for the yellow loss, and wind up with a neutrals that aren't as neutral as you thought they were.
~Michelle
Wow Michelle, I love your response and feedback - you make excellent points! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Karen, good post, not only affects how we see things but how we feel. Important points, as it's the feel that creates the sale.
Michelle, WOW, thanks for the thorough education on this topic. Appreciate it.
So true Terrylynn, the "feel" of a home is so important to buyers!
Well a rainy day is car salesman worst enemy to a great sales. The weather effects the buying climate. A house can look dreary and dark as compared to a bright sunny day which gives a natural which can be very charming to a homes appearance.
Thanks, Jess
Hi Karen - I always said if people are out looking in the rain then you have one serious buyer. I always say don't premier until all is in place for the curtain to go up. Don't want actors running around not in place, don't want your home to distract either. The first showings are generally a buyer that has already been looking and just waiting for the right home. You have only one first impression, make it a great one!
Great post Karen and good tips from Michelle. I too reschedule paint color consultations for sunny days and never do them late in the day. I truly believe the weather effects our attitude and moods-but the most important factor in preparing a home to sell is contacting a professional home stager. Your post is spot on!
It just keeps happening, they list before the staging is done. I just don't understand how they can think that it is not going to hurt them. I had a staging scheduled last week and the realtor sent the photographer there 2 days before me. How does that make sense? It just goes to show you the level of understanding we have to work with.
I've never heard that expression about car salesmen Jess but it makes sense! I agree about the weather.
That's a great point Connie - serious buyers look in any weather! I agree with all your points.
Hi Cathy, I'm with you on the weather and our moods, but a home that shows well should evoke a warm and inviting mood no matter the weather and a stager can help with that end for sure.
We just need to keep sending the message Sharon, that's for me - at minimum - a home staging consultation - so sellers at least have the facts on what needs to be done for optimal showing and whether they hire the stager or do it themselves, it must be done.
Hi Karen O! amazing what those dreary days do to moods and color. Or I guess it's the dreary days the affect the color that affect the mood . . . Good info to share with sellers when doing a consult! Thx.
I remember going to look at colleges ( a LONG time ago)...the first day the weather was cloudy and drizzly. The second day the sun came out. Guess which colleges I wanted to apply to? That's right- the ones I saw on Day 2. Not very rational but that's how people make their house buying decisions as well.
Nice to see you Karen D!
That's so funny Anne because I was going to write in here about my own son's feelings about one college we saw on a day that was cloudy and dreary and you're so right - he did NOT like the school! So rational or not decisions are definitely made based on the weather!
I totally agree, when it's sunny everything looks better. A gloomy dark day is more depressing. It has a psychological impact on people.
As you can imagine, I do not have any feedback in this area except to say that I do think the weather has an effect. What suggestions do I have? Ummm none. But I did want to read the responses you did receive and it looks like you received quite a bit of good feedback on the subject. So, good question!
Hi Cindy, I also believe in the psychology of the weather affecting our moods ... I'm happy to see the sun this AM!
Thanks for your feedback even without "none" John! I appreciate you reading!
Karen, I do know if the weather is COLD or Rain, might as well max the day with other activities clients will cancel, and try reschedule IS A NIGHTMARE ! Have a wonderful and successful weekend.
Karen, PS two of my clients were downtown for hi rise both wanted same time "after rain" I could only do one not two SO THEY BOTH AGREED TO LOOK TOGETHER in same building LOL at same time became friends
Hi Lynn, nice story about the two clients becoming friends - did they buy in the same building?