| A lot of people who are looking for a home miss a | | | | 1. Is the house big enough? |
| lot of good places. Maybe they don't like the furniture | | | | 2. Does it have the right number of bedrooms and |
| and wallpaper and paint colors. In their disapproval of | | | | baths? |
| the décor they miss the important | | | | 3. Are plumbing, HVAC and electrical good? |
| characteristics of the property completely. They | | | | 4. Is it the right neighborhood for you? |
| cannot picture themselves living there because the | | | | 5. Is the roof good? |
| current owner's quirky personality is stamped | | | | 6. Is the foundation good? |
| everywhere, perhaps emphatically. Their photos, | | | | 7. And is the price right for the area, maybe even a |
| paintings and art, furniture, colors, and collections | | | | bargain? |
| overwhelm the structure and the looker, too. A lot | | | | Just look at the stuff that counts or enlist the aid of |
| of the stuff you see in houses is garbage no one | | | | a good inspector. His advice can help your bargaining |
| threw away yet. | | | | efforts at contract time. The paint and clutter are |
| A lot of buyers are blind to the potential of a home | | | | easy to fix. |
| because they can't see past the stuff. It's the big | | | | The previous owner will move his stuff out when he |
| reason many homes are slow to sell. The junk takes | | | | moves. Clean out the sad decorating and many |
| up all the attention of potential buyers while hiding | | | | houses can take on a new incarnation. The old |
| the possibilities of the actual structure. | | | | wallpaper can be stripped from the walls and new |
| People forget they are only buying the house and | | | | paint is at the paint store, and suddenly the house |
| the attachments to the house, not all that junk that's | | | | can be ALL YOURS and maybe really cheaply. |
| in it. Sellers don't realize what the problem is. They | | | | When you are looking for a home learn to ignore the |
| only know the house isn't selling. Some houses would | | | | current owner's stuff and look at the building itself. I |
| actually sell better empty. | | | | once knew a woman who was looking for a home in |
| But all that stuff is superficial and may be hiding real | | | | a particular school district. She finally found a very |
| value. | | | | dirty house that she was able to buy far below |
| It's better for all sellers to package their houses for | | | | market value. She found moldy dishes in the sink in |
| resale as much as they can. Realtors try to tell sellers | | | | the kitchen and other messes that had to be cleaned |
| what to do, but they won't do it. Most sellers never | | | | up before she would let her family move into the |
| really understand how much they really need to clean | | | | house, but she was good at cleaning. When she |
| up to sell their home. | | | | finished that big job they lived comfortably for many |
| But think about it. There are 2 benefits to really | | | | years in the house. |
| cleaning up when you get ready to sell a home. | | | | Some houses just need updating, some need better |
| First cleaning up involves some labor but not much | | | | décor, some need more, but there is lots of |
| $$$. | | | | potential out there, even in the current real estate |
| And secondly, and best of all it will make a house | | | | market. If you need a good place to live and can |
| seem bigger and more attractive to a buyer. | | | | stay in a house for years, you can get what you |
| A buyer who can go into a structure that has not | | | | want and maybe get a bargain, too. Just learn to |
| been packaged properly and ignore the superficial | | | | look past the stuff that will leave with the old owner |
| decorations may luck into unperceived value, too. | | | | or you can carry out in a garbage bag. It can really |
| You do want to look at some things. | | | | pay off great. |