Good Money and Good Enough

You are getting your house ready to sell.  You have read a lot of advice on things that you should do and buy in order to improve your home and its appearance.  Oh, those ideas are so wonderful but you have at least 3 problems with those ideas. 

First: there is going to be a change and change is difficult.  We just get very comfortable with the way things are and making a change is a little like rattling our brains. 

Second:  Getting the house ready might cost money.  No, not might, it will cost money.  The amount depends on you, the Seller, your ability to make money available and the current state of your home.  It might be a case of spend a little now to get a much better return later.

Third:  It is not just that it is work to do but it will take your time and physical effort.  Painting, shopping, rearranging furniture, raking, washing - all 'ing' words that sound like a lot of effort.  It is going to be worth it when Buyers come into your house and do their own ING - as in Buying. 

As real estate agents and stagers we don't often hear you argue making improvement from those three vantages.  You know that if you talk about resisting change sounds like you might be 100 years old and boring; not spending money sounds like you are too cheap and not willing to work to sell your home sounds like you are lazy.  What do you say?   You may fall back on Good Money and Good Enough. 

Good Money

• Often we hear an excuse such as "But I paid good money for this X."  This means that you have not yet got your value out of it and that it is still too good to throw away.
• What is good money?  What is value and what is the real cost of keeping something that isn't what you want or need?
• Sometimes when I hear (even myself) say "But I spent good money on this."  I want to respond "as opposed to what. drug money?"

Good Enough

• This is when we keep some things that are not wonderful or even make us happy but they are ‘good enough' to have around the house.  
• What this is really saying in a loud way is that you don't value your home or your ‘audience' enough to make the effort.  
• Remember when you are sick and feeling blah - your ragged housecoat is good enough for dragging yourself around the house.  Imagine how much better you would feel after a shower, a change of pajamas and a decent robe.  Well, the same applies to your house and how it will make you and Buyers feel.  

When it comes to getting your house ready for sale

Be ready for change, to spend money and to exert a little effort. 

Photo credit:  International Money Pile in Cash and Coins