# Estate agents advise hiding signs of daily life to sell homes

Opinion writer Zoe Williams critiques the common real estate practice of staging homes to appear as if no one lives there, including hiding teenagers and toilet rolls. This advice reflects the pressure on sellers to present an impersonal, idealized space. The article highlights the tension between authentic living and marketability in home sales.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Business
- [The Guardian Biz](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/13/hide-teenagers-and-toilet-roll-why-estate-agent-want-house-look-like-nobody-lives-in-it) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:08:10 GMT