Looking to purchase think like a seller

I recently was on the phone with a potential home buyer where she was telling me how an agent was showing her homes and every home they looked at the agent said was perfect for her.  I asked her if anyone had talked to her about her exit strategy.  She wasn't familiar with this concept.  I thought about it and realized there are probably a lot of people out there in the same shoes.  When looking at homes with my clients I always ask them think about the home from the standpoint of selling. (their exit strategy). 

If there is something odd about the house that cannot be corrected they will inherit that problem.  Here is an example.  I showed a client a house in the Seattle area where the side of the home was adjacent to a big parking lot with a lot of delivery trucks in it.  The house needed some work but all in all was in great shape.  Fit everyone of their needs.........but the ugly delivery trucks.  "so keep curtains closed on that side of the house out of sight out of mind"  This was more than just an eye sore.  you know that annoying beep beep beep sound to warn someone the truck is backing up imagine sleeping and being woken up at all hours of the night by that.  The couple loved the house and had I not asked them to think of their exit strategy would have been the proud owners of the "beep, beep" house. 

Potential buyers focus on the kitchen, the baths and the bedrooms.  These are the first things buyers notice as they walk in the home and the first thing you want to think about when you go to sell.  It is not advisable to take a 3 bedroom home and turn it in to two just to get larger bedrooms and an additional smaller bath.  It is advisable to update that current bathroom though and perhaps expand it if space allows without compromising the floor plan.  It is also advisable to finish out a basement or add on to an existing structure as long as the floor plan still flows.  A good architect will be able to give you ideas on this.  Choose updates that will gain the largest selection of buyers.  Don't remove the only bath tub and replace with a shower because you like to take showers.  You will reduce the number of buyers that will look at your home.

So when you are a buyer wear the hat of a seller too. Make a list of the first things you think of when looking at a home positive and negative.  Prior to stepping out with an agent make a list of you needs vs your wants.  When you go to buy ask yourself what a potential buyer will think about the home you are considering purchasing. 

Trisha Quigley

RE/MAX Metro Realty Inc

www.SeattleSoldHomes.com

It's all in the experience!

206.380.1714