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Frank Rubi, FrankRubiRealEstate.com (Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC)

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Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

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.

Aug 27, 2015 05:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

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.

Aug 27, 2015 06:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Frank Rubi, MBA I think it's a big 'NO NO' at least for me - unless sellers insist on that!

Aug 27, 2015 06:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

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.

Aug 27, 2015 08:51 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I agree it is good to discourage this while the property is listed for sale.

Aug 27, 2015 08:03 AM
Rainmaker
911,438
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

They could cause unneeded distractions. I would at least move it to other end of lot.

Aug 27, 2015 06:35 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Reluctantly I would have to ask them to remove the sign until we're under contract.

Aug 27, 2015 06:31 AM
Rainmaker
440,656
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

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.

Aug 27, 2015 10:31 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I tell my sellers that when selling, personal, political and religous things needs to "disappear."

Aug 27, 2015 09:01 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

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. 

Aug 27, 2015 08:04 AM
Rainer
150,719
Ed Macias
Real Estate Teammates - Miami, FL
Miami FL-REO Property Management Multifamily

I don't mind it. If someone is not going to buy over who someone supports their loss. Buying the house not seller

Aug 27, 2015 06:17 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

I wouldn't recommend putting a political sign up next to an open house sign...but approaching the seller about it may be delicate.

Aug 27, 2015 05:35 AM
Rainmaker
784,786
The Woodland Team of Texas
The Woodland Companies - Austin, TX
Land Specialists

I admire their conviction, not their marketing wisdom.

Dec 08, 2018 04:10 PM
Rainer
429,033
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

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. 

Aug 27, 2015 10:23 PM
Rainmaker
323,664
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

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?

Aug 27, 2015 10:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I would not recommend it, but if the price is right it will sell.

Aug 27, 2015 09:56 PM
Rainmaker
553,299
Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

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.

Aug 27, 2015 09:10 PM
Rainer
171,073
Richard L. Sanderson
Richard L. Sanderson Consulting - Kalama, WA
helping improve local property tax systems

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.

Aug 27, 2015 06:27 PM
Rainmaker
969,888
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Thanks to all for the comments. I would vote not to have any addition signs in the front yard. 

Aug 27, 2015 01:04 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

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.

Aug 27, 2015 12:38 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

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.

Aug 27, 2015 12:18 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

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.

Aug 27, 2015 10:37 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

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.

Aug 27, 2015 09:56 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

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.

Aug 27, 2015 08:41 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

I would strongly suggest that the seller refrain from doing this.

Feb 13, 2017 01:26 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,464
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

No.  

Sep 02, 2015 12:29 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

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.

Aug 28, 2015 11:49 AM
Rainer
273,237
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

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.

Aug 27, 2015 11:34 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,497
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

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.

Aug 27, 2015 11:16 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Could be the kiss of death! Seller needs to concentrate on selling their house !

Aug 27, 2015 11:02 PM
Rainmaker
4,883,260
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

In our market they could put anything in their yard and it will still sell.

Aug 27, 2015 10:35 PM