Mr Williamsburg, Revolutionary ideas on real estate!Hampton Roads Virginia

I went on a few home listing appointments recently. The most asked question by each seller was what do I need to do to my home before we list it for sale ?

Well, I started to collect actual comments from buyers who viewed homes with me. What follows is a collection of thoughts from buyers after viewing multiple homes.

It amazes me how many sellers still overlook such obvious things. People just don’t seem to realize that their house should be presented in the best way possible (within reason & budget, of course). I’m not suggesting HGTV perfect, just give some attention to the easy to fix items. It’s interesting to note the comments about Staging versus Vacant homes.

Here they are in no particular order:

  A dirty house. (Come on folks! A little elbow grease goes a
long way and it is at no additional cost.) 
Pet smells/ pet fur. (Folks, your house is for sale. Do you think the
stinky pet smells and fur imbedded in the carpet and furniture is a
selling point?) (This is not to suggest that some stuff can’t be
overlooked, like a litter box.
Clutter, clutter, everywhere. (I like my photos, plants and travel souvenirs as much as the next person but how can a buyer see what a great house you have if everything is smothered with clutter. It makes a room look smaller, too.

 When the sellers are there.

Things that you can see have not been kept up/look un-maintained. Really makes me wonder what I CANNOT see that hasn’t been kept up.
Unfinished projects. Please finish them before you show your house. 
You’re moving anyway……why not start packing now? It will probably sell your house quicker if your home is less cluttered and personalized. As much as you love your stuff and pictures of your family, people want to see it as ‘their’ own home.
A home that is obviously priced way above comps. Come on…..are the sellers that unaware of the current market?

I don’t think an empty house is a turnoff at all…my current home was empty when we looked at it last year, and it was easy to picture our stuff in it. Easier to really see the size of the rooms, too. It also made closing very easy…they agreed to the soonest date possible, since we had a contract on our house and needed out quick!

All of the "sell your house now" type shows on HGTV stress that the house should be "staged" and that it’s important to have the house furnished so that prospective buyers will be more able to imagine living there. I don’t necessarily agree, and prefer a vacant home.

I don’t like sloppy DIY work (especially for major things like electrical, plumbing, etc). If you can’t get a pro, just don’t do it at all and price your home accordingly.
I can’t stand granite countertops on top of broken down/beat up cabinets. That’s not an update.

Lack of pictures or poor pictures on the internet house listing.. I’ve been doing my house hunting on the internet. I’ve passed over a lot of houses because of no pictures.

Wallpaper throughout the entire house.

Listings that say ‘move in ready’. Visit the place and seeing the carpet needs to be replaced [because of color or stains]. Every room needs painting. The A/C is 15 years old. The shingles need replacing. The kitchen is a disaster area. The windows are dirty. Piles of pet poop in the yard.

If light bulbs are out – and I don’t mean just one, but an entire room where you can’t see anything! Makes me wonder if they are trying to hide something.

Toys strewn around the back the yard
Lawn not mowed
Weeds…I expect a couple, but not a jungle.

I will continue to post these as I collect them.

Filed under: Selling a home in Hampton Roads VA |