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Average or Older - Are They Included in Your Home Search?

By Judy Jennings

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Top Agent Plus

September 27, 2009 08:44 AM

Today, it seems that most Buyers are convinced that they must have newer, shinier, larger, granite, stainless and/or tile. A house must have all the modern conveniences, all the bells and whistles, and be the best in the neighborhood.

Is it me, or has the modern home become more of a status symbol, rather than a place to live? A show piece rather than a place to raise a family? While you are sitting there eating your dinner in front of the television watching your Tivo'd episode from the day, night, or week before and your dining room is left in the dark only to be graced with your presence on special occassions, take a moment and think about what you really need in a home.

Don't skip right over that average or older home that might be a perfect fit. Go look at it with an open mind. Is it in your price range, does it have the number of bedrooms you require, is it in the neighborhood you want to reside, and most if not all of the things you want in a home? If it doesn't have everything you desire, can it be modified or updated?

I was scheduled to meet with clients later this afternoon to list their house for sale. It is an older home, smaller in living area, with 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and a garage. Meanwhile, something came up at the last minute and plans changed for the Seller's. It happens, life can sometimes throw us a curve ball. The house will not be listed for sale at least not now.

Previously, I was trying to come up with something creative to put in the description section of the listing. I wanted to provide some depth, some meaning, generate some interest and make people WANT to see the house. Everyone knows, that price and location are two key elements in selling a home and that pictures are very important in capturing the attention of today's internet savy house hunters.

This is what I was tossing around, but will shelf for a future date....

Take a look at me. I might not be large, but I sure will keep you dry, warm and make you feel welcome. I am a place to call home. If my walls could talk, they would tell a tale of an earlier time when life was less complicated and seemed to have a slower pace.

I offer everything you really need. I am affordable, inexpensive to heat, I have a kitchen where you can make meals for you and your family, a living room where you can relax with family or friends, watch television, read or just hang out. I offer bedrooms where you can rest, a bathroom where you can take a shower, bathe or, you know....

I have a nice back yard where you can plant a vegetable garden, flowers, play with your children, or pets. I have a garage where you can park a car, use for a workshop, or store stuff. I am here, waiting for someone just like you, to call me home.

photo is not of the actual house.

So, next time you are searching the internet trying to find the house that is calling your name, don't rule out the average or older home. It might be perfect for you and your family

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Kathy Opatka

RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD

Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

Judy,

Thanks for the reminder! OLD is not BAD!

Kathy Opatka

Sep 28, 2009 04:32 AM

Steve Andrascik

Lake Mead Area Realty - Boulder City, NV

Judy, in Boulder City, Nevada many of the homes were built for the workers on the Hoover Dam. My house was built in 1936. Some prospective buyers go into shock when I tell them the age of houses.

Sep 28, 2009 05:10 AM

Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA

Independent architectural histor'n - Wilmington, DE

Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS

My goodness, I would be out of the business if it weren't for the 50-250 year old houses!

Sep 28, 2009 05:52 AM

Susan Neal

RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA

Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Judy - I agree. When I'm showing homes for buyer clients and we find a bargain house with good bones, I give them a rough hint of what it would cost to put in new kitchen counters or paint or carpet, and suggest that this home will cost them less to buy and add the upgrades than another already upgraded home. Plus - they get to pick the colors themselves instead of taking what someone else chose. Most of what I sell are good older homes.

Sep 28, 2009 07:06 AM

Marika .

Coldwell Banker - Bellevue, WA

Very honest and simple. How refreshing! Thank you for bringing up this great example.

Marika

Sep 28, 2009 07:10 AM

Judy Jennings

Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA

Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

What started out as a "what am I going to do with my vacant time slot," has evolved into so much more than I imagined. The comments are great, many of you have listed or shown homes that can get passed over for no reason other than the date of construction.

Some of you have very creative ways of opening the buyer's mind to the opportunity that might be right under their nose. I am very much enjoying this interaction and hope it has helped anyone that has an older listing that has been difficult to sell.

If anyone was curious, the one I was writing about was built in the late 1800's.

Sep 28, 2009 07:30 AM

Tamara Perlman

Referral Network Inc. - Truckee, CA

Judy--Well done. I have found that many buyers have their own agenda about what they want in a home... and it's not always all the bells and whistles. I just opened escrow for a buyer that preferred a house with more "story" and character than the ones that had been updated to keep up with that recent idea that all houses needed granite and marble and more...

Sep 28, 2009 07:43 AM

Jack LeVine

Bella Vegas Homes - Las Vegas, NV

Mid Century Modern Homes and Historic neighborhood

That's all I sell in Las Vegas. Pre -1970 Mid Century Modern. The neighborhoods are historic and right downtown. Average lot is 8000 feet. average tree is 50 foot tall.

Not to be self serving, but www.VeryVintageVegas.com

It's a great description you've written! Thanks

Sep 28, 2009 07:49 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Judy, good post. I myself always gravitate to older homes with some charm and quality. Nothing like great bookcases, fireplaces and 10" moldings. Is that what I've bought? No, it's the new stuff with plenty of glitz and granite. I'm also one of the people you are talking about! :-O

Sep 28, 2009 11:57 AM

Charlie & Malaney West

Coldwell Banker - Winter Park, FL

Judy, your ad blew me away! You are one more creative person. Thanks for giving me a great idea. I love marketing our (my husband and I are a team) listings, and you have given me a really fresh take.

Malaney West, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Winter Park, Fl

Sep 28, 2009 12:23 PM

Barbara Tretola

RAC Real Estate Associates, Inc. - Massapequa Park, NY

This is so wonderful that you posted this, I have the same issue with many homes. I have even had pre-inspections done on these homes and they are in tip top shape and as pristine as they come. And yet I get the line "well this home needs so much work". I think those TV shows have ruined buyers expectations.

Sep 28, 2009 03:26 PM

Mark Velasco

West Shores Realty - Whittier, CA

Top Producing Broker Associate

Very endearing post Judy. It makes it feel like an old dog that you just want to take home.

Sep 28, 2009 06:17 PM

Margaret Mitchell

Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty - York, ME

Seacoast Maine & NH Real Estate

Judy - I loved this post because I am grappling with this issue right now.

Sep 28, 2009 09:49 PM

Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.

Natick, MA

Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

Our MLS allows us to search for the age of the home to assist our clients in finding the right home. While it's true that older homes generally are built to last, it can be troublesome for me, as a buyer's agent, or the home inspector to get a good "feel" for the home unless we have a documented history of maintenance. All too often when the home inspector starts poking at the sills in the basement, do we find evidence of rot or wood-boring insects. Same with electrical wires that haven't been removed when panels were upgraded or renovations that don't seem to have been performed with a permit from the city.

Then, there's the issue of lead paint.

Most of our buyers can find affordable new construction that comes with a contractor's warranty. I don't have too many clients that want "fixer uppers" or have the time (or creativity) to renovate an older home. There's just too many new homes out there that satisfy their needs.

Sep 29, 2009 02:21 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I'm very happy to own one of these older homes! It doesn't have the granite, it doesn't have hardwoods (yet) but it does keep our family dry and happy. I don't need all the fancy upgrades of cherry cabinets. The only reason we are upgrading to hardwoods is because of my allergies.

Todd Clark - www.LivingBeaverton.com

Sep 29, 2009 05:43 AM

Mike Henderson

Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO

HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

I really like the ad copy you wrote... some real good stuff.

Sep 29, 2009 04:28 PM

Barb Mihalik

RE/MAX Elite - Suntree, FL

You painted such a warm and cozy picture for a buyer. Anyone looking for an older house with home written all over it wouldn't be able to resist.

Oct 02, 2009 10:05 AM

Kathie Burby

Coldwell Banker Mother Lode Real Estate - Sonora, CA

REALTOR, SFR, Tuolumne County Real Estate Guide

Judy - Great post. You certainly wrote a loving description of an older home. I hope many buyers see this post. I prefer the older homes, they offer so much character and often great craftsmanship. Those sellers would be lucky to have you as their listing agent. Good Luck.

Oct 03, 2009 11:42 AM

Melissa Brown

Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC

Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

Judy, I loved your post and I'm so glad that it inspired so much support of older houses. Where's the fun in the brand new-every-house-looks-alike mentality?

I've had some buyers who bought an older house and got their mortgage based on the updated house - they included the costs of an update kitchen and baths - still for a lot less than they would have paid if they had bought brand new with all that stuff. I don't know if lenders are still doing those types of loans, but my buyers were thrilled with the product.

Oct 13, 2009 04:34 AM

Wayne B. Pruner

Oregon First - Tigard, OR

Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

I agree Judy. I spend much of my time with first-time buyers and have to convince them that a totally updated house is usually more than they can afford. There are compromises to be made on your first house.

Oct 25, 2009 12:28 PM