Dear Dave,
My husband is a big game hunter, and he has some incredible mounts in our home. We are getting ready to put our house on the market, and we can’t agree on having them in the house anymore. Should we remove them, or is it ok to leave them up? Of course, I think we have too many, and he thinks they look awesome as they are his prized possessions. Please help us settle this and tell us what we should do.
— Betty
Betty,
This is a common theme for homes in Western Colorado. The fact that we live in Western Colorado and not Chicago (not that there is anything wrong with Chicago) makes trophy mounts more acceptable in a home for sale. There is, however, definitely a fine line between too much. Hunting is a way of life and not just a hobby, but in many cases, it borders on obsession for some. Many hunters like to showcase their mounts, and in most cases, I am great with it. To be honest, I have a few mounts up in my home.
The key here is to make sure the mounts do not overpower your room, and size and quantity really matter. If you have low ceilings, there is no doubt that it is better to remove and store them. If it is truly a “trophy” and you have low ceilings, it will make the room appear much smaller and more closed in, not to mention put buyers standing eye to eye with a 400-point bull elk! If the room is on the smaller side to begin with, multiple mounts can also seem overwhelming and highlight the too-small area. Buyers are always on the lookout for a bright and spacious home, so remember that anything you can do to make it feel bigger and brighter will serve you best in the end.
Now, if your home has vaulted or volume ceilings, then having a “mount or two” will generally be fine. But even in large areas, many mounts can give off a distracting vibe to potential buyers. You always want them to be focusing on the rooms and your home features, not admiring your mounts. Again, look at your home through the eyes of a buyer and ask your real estate agent what they recommend. The idea is to accentuate or complement your room and decor, not overpower it.
Keep in mind that the end goal is selling your current home to move into your new home, where every month will have its space to shine. My advice is do whatever is needed now to sell it before your husband has a chance to add another mount this fall! ; )
Happy home selling and continued happy hunting!
Dave Kimbrough
The Kimbrough Team REMAX/4000
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