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"The Devil is in the Details" When It Comes to Selling Your Home!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with RED Properties NC #129285

I was out this week previewing homes for some clients I have coming in next week.  I am a firm believer in previewing homes BEFORE you actually take your clients through.  Why don't more agents do that I wonder?

Anyhow, all of the homes were similar in size, price, private back yards and in close proximity to each other.  All of the homes would fit my clients needs nicely. 

What surprised me with each of the homes was that they had another similarity.  They were all a "little" dirty.  Now, let me explain a "little" dirty.  It was obvious in each of the homes that they were family homes.  Adults with children.  From peeking in closets, pantries and bathrooms I can see that they left in haste in the morning but had all done their best to put things in their proper place.  I am sure that as they walked out the door this morning they all had the same thought,  "This looks clean." 

I will give each of them that, yes, there were clothes put away, empty kitchen sinks, toys hidden away, etc.  But what they MISSED in ALL OF THEM was this:

  • Toilets with lids up and they all could have used a cleaning
  • Dirty, sticky door knobs on the pantries (enough so that I had to wash my hands as I wasn't sure what I had touched)
  • VERY dirty doors throughout.  Fronts and back of all interior doors had spills on them, fingerprints, handprints and just grim from every day life with children
  • Front doors with kick marks on the inside where you could imagine someone constantly using their foot to close the door
  • Filthy light switch plates (can't explain that one - just a HUGE pet peeve of mine!)
  • Dust bunnies in the cracks and crevices around the baseboards
  • Very dirty sliding glass doors/french doors leading to the outside decks and porches (little hands)
  • Personal toiletry items on countertops such as shampoos, bubble baths, shaving creams, razors, etc.  Not the ones for decoration but the every day use ones.
  • Front porches with spider webs (from years of buildup - not a new Charlotte's Web, mind you)

There are a few more in my notes but you get the point.  While the homes appeared clean with a cursory last glance before the sellers left for the morning - they were not. 

Am I being picky?  I think not.  I can not stress enough to my sellers that when their home goes on the market it instantaneously becomes a product!  It must compete with all of the other products on the market and be shown ONLY in it's best light.

I know that as we live our lives daily we sometimes have a blind eye when it comes to our homes and it's cleanliness.  However, when a seller wishes to attract a buyer this is one of the most important areas to address. 

So, if you are a seller please take heed.  Step back for a moment and REALLY take a peek at your home through the eyes of a buyer!  If you are another agent then please do your sellers justice and inform them of the importance of details.  It's the little things that just might make the difference......

Posted by
 RED Properties RaleighRed
RED Properties RaleighRed

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Comments (133)

Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Our jobs are hard enough, Gwen!  Isn't that why they hired us in the first place?  To get the home sold?  If you make the recommendations and they just don't listen then yes, move on!

Jun 13, 2010 07:00 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Thanks, Lina and YES!  Buyers do make those conclusions!

Jun 13, 2010 07:01 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

It is the little things, Lawrence, and when that add up they become BIG things!

Jun 13, 2010 07:03 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Hey there, Vickie!  Competition is brutal right now so every little thing that a seller can do WILL help!

Jun 13, 2010 07:27 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

And I love being a winner - Patricia!!

Jun 13, 2010 07:28 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Too cute, Michelle!  Not in my clients......

Jun 13, 2010 07:29 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Just how I feel about it Aaron - the house is a product and has to compete with all the other products that are out there - people comparison shop!

Jun 13, 2010 07:42 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

HA, Stephanie!  I showed a home that had children and they left just before the showing.  What the parents didn't know was that their young son had gone potty just before they left.  He did a number 2 and left the lid up......uugghh....

Jun 13, 2010 12:08 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Thanks, Laurie and YES - they have to be serious from the beginning!

Jun 13, 2010 12:10 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Ya know, Candice - I was in hospitality for years - maybe that's also part of my attention to detail.  But, yes, previewing?  Prevents some unusual circumstances.

Jun 13, 2010 12:16 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Thanks, Frank and Sharon!  Yes, shouldn't matter if it is a preview or a showing - you only get one chance in most cases......

Jun 13, 2010 12:37 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

This is really important for sellers to understand.  Many buyers come into a home and are completely turned off by any dirt.

Jun 13, 2010 07:29 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Cute play on words, Kerry!!!  It is so important to be as clean as possible!

Jun 14, 2010 11:32 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Ron - yes, all things (homes) being equal a buyer will choose the one that is cleaner.  If I'm picky - I can live with that.

Jun 14, 2010 11:33 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Thanks again, VB -= not sure if I am worthy of all the praise!

Jun 14, 2010 11:34 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Very nicely done, Richard - that is a fantastic approach and it obviously works for you!

Jun 14, 2010 11:35 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

You're right, Michelle!  I have a house full of "straighten up'rs" too!!!

Jun 14, 2010 11:36 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

It's interesting Jill the different perspectives on clean.  I just want my sellers to look deeper.

Jun 14, 2010 11:37 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Erica - I LOVE MAGIC ERASERS!!!!  They're MAGIC!  :)~  They really do work wonders on walls, though!  (and thanks for the compliment!)

Jun 14, 2010 11:38 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Mine, too, Christine!  Like I have said all through this post and comments - it doesn't cost a thing but energy to keep a home clean while it is on the market and it is the LITTLE things!

Jun 15, 2010 02:33 AM