You Do Go Home Again

By Joyce Harsch
Posted Thursday, Sep 9, 2010

There is no place like home.

You do go home again.

The idea that our tastes and choices are shaped by our environmental history is the basis for "design psychology." Design psychology has Jungian undertones associates with the domain of "environmental memories" or "self-place connection." Toby Israel, author of Some Place Like Home: Using Design Psychology to Create Ideal Places contends that each of us possesses our own unique environmental autobiography.

We carry this environmental autobiography with us into adulthood and often choose homes and locations to live that are very similar to our cherished memories. When shopping for a new home a buyer may be drawn to a particular house or location without fully understanding why. The buyer will say "this house/place just feels like home."

Realtors commonly hear a buyer say "this house reminds me of my grandmothers cottage or my parents home" when describing why they (the buyer) feel drawn to a particular property. A seller who understands that a buyer is working from "personal autobiography" will not be unduly disappointed to learn that their home was not chosen even though it was priced right and always shows well in open houses.

A seller can help make their property more buyer friendly by depersonalizing the home. Depersonalizing a home involves removing most if not all memorabilia that is personal such as family photos and trophies and favorite sporting themes. The seller should aim to make their property a blank canvas upon which a buyer can draw their own personal memories.

Compare your "for sale" property with the page of a book. Aim to make the page clean and white again with no written memories or stories. Allow the buyer to write their own personal story on the blank page your are providing and chances are good you will receive an offer to buy. To talk about showing your home to best advantage or buying your next home call Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate. Our agents are waiting to help you "go home again." www.harschrealestate.com or 413-458-5000

Dear Paul, What a wonderful experience working with you to find our vacation home! We feel so fortunate to have found you. Your competence in every realm--the ins and outs of the real estate market, knowledge of how homes are constructed and maintained, staying on top of every detail along the way--was impressive. We have worked with many good real estate agents over the years, but you stand out as someone who is truly gifted. You negotiated on our behalf in a manner that was impressively [...]

July 18, 2012 Hi Paul, I don’t think that any of us can express our gratitude for all your hard work and persistence. It’s not been an easy property to work with, however, you stuck with it when many would have thrown in the towel. I’ll continue to recommend you to anyone in the Berkshires looking to sell or buy. Many thanks, [...]

Tryggvi

Hi Carolyn, Well, we got through the closing, with drama rearing up even at the last minute! We just wanted to make sure you know how much we valued your agency, your assistance and your good humor throughout these weeks, that have quite probably seemed longer to us than to you. You did a great job for us, and we are grateful for your help, and glad to have worked with you. Regards, Bonita and Cliff Dec. 2009 [...]

RE: Listing and Sale of 696 West Shaft Road, North Adams, MA 01247 Dear Mr. Harsch: Barb and I are simply amazed that your listing of our home, and your expert guidance in this matter, were the major factors in our sale on November 21, 2008, and with a satisfactory sale price given the present housing market turmoil. Our initial instincts in asking you to assist us proved to be sound, and my 35 years of law practice in North Adams [...]

Carolyn, I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for all your hard work and tireless dedication which made the sale of my home a great experience! Your character and personality is what sets you apart from the rest! I am in the process of moving and settling in at my new place but will be sure to give you a call when everything is situated. Thanks again for everything! Sincerely,

Tom Quinton May 2009

Dear Judy and Paul Harsch, Although my thank you note is past due, I would like to thank both of you for your help in selling our house in Stamford. Best Regards,

Craig and Jamie Woodworth

Dear Paul, We extend our thanks and praise to you and your staff as you celebrate your 35 years of providing real estate services to our community. On behalf of the Trustees, Officers and staff we congratulate you and wish you many more years of great service. Sincerely,

Charlie O’Brien, President South Adams Savings Bank

Paul, I cannot thank you enough for all you did for us during our visits to North Adams. It was you, above all else, who gave us the confidence to push forward with our home search!

Chad Moeller

UTUBE Comment posted on July 24th! Comment on your video: CANDLEWOOD 0001 Beautiful video!!!

Dear Paul, Jean and I want to thank you for all you have done to help sell our home in Pownal when many said it would take months or even a year to do that in this present market. In four days after your listing we had a buyer, and we were astonished, and really not prepared for that to happen. Over the years we have been pleased to work with you on other sales, for you have always been a knowledgeable professional and a gentleman. You have always followed through with [...]

Dear Paul, Thank you for leading us to North Adams. The time you took with us when we first came to your office persuaded us of the pleasures of the Berkshires. Your associate, Carolyn Umlauf was absolutely wonderful to work with. She was polite, professional and tough as nails when needed. I call it the velvet hammer. She is a great addition to your office. Thank you for everything. We could not be happier with our house. We look forward to seeing you in the Berkshires. [...]

4-2-2012 Dear Paul, On behalf of everyone at Williamstown Elementary I am writing to thank you for the generous donation to our school. The money will be put to wonderful use as a welcome addition to our field trip fund. It will allow WES students to extend their learning beyond the school walls out into the world! Sincerely, Joelle Brookner (sent to Harsch Associates in response to the 1% Charitable Contribution Program of Harsch Associates. We donate 1% of our gross income on every [...]

View All Testimonials