The “normal house” trend has recently become a hot topic on TikTok, a short-form platform. This content shows the unorganized house, which stems from the backlash against neat and perfect houses that are often seen on social networking services. For example, it shows a pile of falsehoods, unorganized shoe cabinets, and stacked delivery boxes without filtering.
Recently, more and more people are sharing their homes through TikTok. According to the New York Post, TikTokker Meijingmi revealed the interior of her house, saying, “SNS only shows highlights. This is what my house is like.” Books were piled up at will on the bookshelf, and dog hair and hair were scattered on the floor. The window also showed the handprints left by the children.
Another TikTokker, Sarah Bond, also showed an unorganized interior, with toys on the floor of the living room and clutter scattered on the table. Netizens who watched the related video responded, “It’s nice to be realistic,” and “I’ve been stressed by the idea that my house is not as clean as other houses on TikTok.”
The trend stems from the psychological burden of comparing a house to a perfectly organized one on social media. Even though they know that the appearance and reality on social media are different, they still feel pressure to meet the ideal standard. As a result, a trend to reveal realistic and honest houses has emerged. However, real estate experts showed negative reactions. This is because the house may not be sold because the cluttered appearance of the house can instill a bad image. “In the real estate market, the first impression of a house is important, and a perfectly designed house sells faster,” said Bret Johnson, head of New Era Home Bias in Inglewood, Colorado. He added, “A house that looks ideal on social media, that is, a house that is neatly organized, always sells faster.”
Cara Amier, a real estate agent based in California and Florida, had a similar opinion. “Beautifully decorated houses are often sold at higher prices than other houses in the same price range,” he said. “When you go to see a house, you expect it to look neat and tidy.” He added, “For most people, buying a house is the biggest deal in their lives, so they prefer a well-managed house unless it’s very affordable.”
The U.S. real estate market is in a difficult situation to sell due to high mortgage rates and lack of supply. In this situation, sellers are increasingly required to decorate their homes to make them look more attractive. When selling a house, it is important to emphasize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses, said Shireen Sarikani, who runs a home interior and home styling company in Seattle. That’s why homes that have been done with expert hands sell faster.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
