Found Art Object Simulations

Text introducing Dr. Makover

---

Looking to maximize profit on your house-flip investment? You’ve put in literally thousands of hours transforming an ugly wreck of a house into an enviable property, no doubt the most gorgeous in the neighborhood. Now is not the time to rest on your laurels (whatever those are!), as the crucial “showing phase” begins.

 It is well known that prospective buyers make their decision yea or nay within two minutes of crossing the threshold of a new listing.  Your challenge is to create an overwhelmingly positive impression from the get-go.
​
If you’re reading this, you are in luck!  I recently pioneered a new technique I call “Found Object Art Simulation.”  Follow these simple and straightforward directions and you will raise the number and price of your offers by 25% or more.

First, find a collection of objects in a nook or cranny of your home that catches your eye.  (If you are one those inveterate multi-taskers so prevalent today who never pays much attention to anything, I recommend You Are Here by the celebrated Buddhist leader Tikh Nhat Han.)  Next, manipulate a few objects, changing their position or even removing and adding a few, till the color and composition look good.  For maximum effect set up a red velvet rope in front of the designated area and tack a white plastic label with embossed black lettering on the closest wall at eye height, giving your display an imaginative title that captures its special essence, much like a real artist does.  Three to five displays are optimal.  Now the real fun begins.  When your prospective buyer walks through the door, whisk him or her around past all your “exhibits” as fast as you can.  With strategic placement and a rapid pace, hitting them all under two minutes should be no problem. The technique is particularly effective with first time buyers and shoppers with a flair for design.

What’s that?  You think you and your home lack potential?  Think again!  All it takes is a little imagination to make the most out of the available materials, no matter how prosaic they appear in their usual habitats.​

Intimidated?  Check out the simple displays below that turned a run-of-the-mill American Craftsman kit-built bungalow into a heart stopping irresistible manse, and see how easy it is to add value while exercising creative impulses you never thought you had!

Bathroom
“Oval Queen in full dress flanked by the VO5 Royal Guards”

Kitchen
“Dawn Platinum Extends Himself” 
​Beside an Attractive White Bowl”

Basement
​“Three Strange Metal Things that Look Like Museum Sculptures”

Miscellaneous
​“Vertiginous Stairway”

Would you believe these compelling, museum quality exhibits were set up in less time than it took you to commute to work this week and for less money than your monthly utility bill? If you get stuck, ask a special friend for help, or even a spouse. Double the fun and square the creativity when you share the fun with others.  Remember it’s your pockets those extra dollars will be filling.   Get the picture(s)?  Now what are you waiting for?! ​