“
Yes ma’am, the kitchen appliances work. The dishwasher
buzzes. Just kick it to make it stop.”
“I think the bright blue living room is charming, don’t you? I like
the orange bathroom downstairs. Wait ‘till you see it.”
“
Yes, the carpets are stained, but the homeowners have learned to live with it.”
“This is a great house, don’t you think?”
The above conversation,
while fictional, describes my own home and a few of the things that, okay,
need a little work. The truth is, many people have worked
hard to personalize their home over the years. My bright blue living room invigorates
me, but my sister prefers khaki. A little investment in neutral paint can mean
a higher offer. Sellers have to unhook emotional attachments to their home,
or be prepared to wait until a buyer exactly like them comes
along.
Many homeowners have learned
to live with the little things that are wrong with the house.
I think, “I’ll
get to that one of these days.” These
things don’t bother me enough to take action, but is a buyer willing
to “live
with it?” Making repairs around the home can make the difference between
a house that “needs work” and that “perfect” house
a buyer is seeking. To a buyer, the need for repairs tells them that the home
hasn’t
been maintained, or worse…that the seller will take a lower price.
What
about the cleanliness and aroma of your home? On the day after cleaning day,
our house does not smell like a zoo. On any other day, I can’t promise
anything. The dogs have painted the back door with mud, and the dust…well,
who dusts anymore? The kids have strewn their belongings everywhere. A thorough
cleaning costs little more than elbow grease.
So what’s a seller to
do? Have one day for when you enjoy your home as-is. Take photos of the
rooms so that you can remember the home when it was “yours.” Have
a wild party or a quiet time to share memories. Now, “snap!” Break
that emotional attachment because you’ve got work to do if you want
the most cash!
Your next step is to call your
real estate agent and have them evaluate your home. The things
they have to say may please you, or
they may sting… “What?
You want me to paint my orange bathroom?” Here comes that emotion
again. Remember that the agent is on your side and is trying to get you
the best price
for your home. As a real estate professional, the agent has seen a lot
of homes in the area and they know what buyers want. They also know what
else is on the
market, so they should be aware of your competition and how your house
stacks up against it.
Next, decide what has to be
done and what should be done. A good place to start is by packing
up clutter. Get stuff off
the kitchen countertops,
organize
the
garage, clean up the yard, and put away knick-knacks. Schedule the
necessary repairs. You should also remove anything that will
not be sold with the
home. This keeps them from becoming a bargaining tool with the buyers.
Your property
is now “refreshed” and ready to sell at top dollar.
If
I ever sell my home, I will fix the dishwasher, tone down the blue
paint, pack up the kids’ toys, and have the carpets cleaned.
After all, I want the most money I can get for this gem of a home.
I may never, however, paint
the orange bathroom.
Claudia Stallings
Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace
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