Don't Reject a Home Too Quickly

Good advice to look "beyond" the seller, when looking for "the deal"...savvy you!

Hi Gail, as a Burlington native and someone who looked for a home in the area, I can echo your message that many of the homes in that area have seen only one set of home owners. Some of the decor was so bad that I have fond memories of my husband and I giggling in corners while trying to envision it transformed with our updates.

Unfortunately, your buyer pool has dramatically changed and those types of dated homes (I see alot of realtors advertising 'one owner homes' and it tells me that these homes need updating before I even see them) aren't appealing. Its a fact that over 70% of buyers will pay MORE money for a home which is updated and has modern, neutral appeal. This means in order for buyers to see the value you talk about, they need to see that the sellers have taken the time, and yes made some smart investments in their homes before they hit the hot sheets.

So, my advice is find a good home stager in your area (I can recommend someone great) who will work with your sellers so that you don't have listings which linger on the market, unappreciated and unloved by buyers.

Gail, I will be doing a staging consult with a seller today that has a home that I believe will be outdated and not appealing to buyers.  It has lingered on the market, with very little interest, for many months and the seller understands the need to change but loves her home as it is. 

As a professional stager my job is to help her understand why she needs to release her emotional connections to the house to sell this very expensive product.  It is currently holding her back from moving forward with her life.  It's not an easy job and not everyone gets onboard, but call Heather (above post), she does a wonderful job and will help get some of those houses SOLD. 

Gail, If the seller had a staging consult maybe the buyer wouldn't have to see past all those negatives to find the house features. Staging a home even if the seller can't do major work will at least help buyers see the possibilities.

  I'm always a phone call away ;).

Gail, I agree and really appreciate your advice to put an offer that seems right to the buyer. If it is turned down, then be it. It is so important to look at the bones as oppose to the wall paper choice!

Great blog!

Hi Gail, 

"It doesn't show well.  When you enter the home, it may have horrible wallpaper, bad paint choices or just be in the need of painting, the flooring could be old or the carpeting badly worn.  All of these things can be corrected or changed without too much expense.  If you can see past these deficiencies then this may be the perfect home for you."

"If you can see past these deficiencies..."

It is well known that only about 10% of people can see past deficiencies. By not insisting on having these types of properties staged you may be limiting your sales of these kinds of properties by reducing potential buyers by 90%. This is because the unprepared and deficient properties may be pleasing to only 10% of all of your potential buyers. Further, you risk losing some of the 90% majority of buyers, by showing them inferior properties they find unsuitable. They may think you are not listening to them and their desires. Don't risk it, stage it!

~ Lin

Gail,

You can get a great discount and do the things that a stager would suggest.

Brian