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Dirty house seen as a fixer upper!

By
Home Stager with Real Estate Staging Unlimited

Will the new buyer see past a dirty house? 

Answer: Probably not and the house will probably fall under the fixer up category.

When we are called to do a report for the realtor and homeowner on how to get the home ready for sale we often see a dirty home.  This doesn't  mean necessarily that the house is cluttered it can just be dirty.  We recommend that if you want to list this house you better plan to pay for an outside service to come into the home and put the sparkle back into the home.  But don't stop there make sure just like a gardner for a yard be prepared to pay for additional cleanings.  If the house has great possibilities it's worth this expense.  No matter how much you advertise for the home if it's dirty it will bring less money. 

If you are not using a home preparation service find one today in your area.  Many stagers and redesigners offer this service. 

Good luck with getting the sold sign posted!

 
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes
You are right. When a home is dirty people think of it as a fixer upper many times. When the reality is all that may be wrong is filth.
Jan 20, 2008 03:40 PM
First Last
Eatontown, NJ
You are right.  Home staging does make a big difference.
Jan 21, 2008 04:51 AM
Endea Thibodeaux
Tarver Realty Group - Washington, DC
CLHMS, RECS
Isn't staging and cleaning 2 different things?  Dirty is just unacceptable!  There are houses that are not dirty that need staging but a dirty house needs a good cleaning and should not be put on the market at all!
Jan 21, 2008 07:51 AM
Kristina Leone
Lionheart Home Staging, LLC - Minneapolis, MN
I totally agree!  I am shocked by the condition of some listed houses.  Clutter = messy = dirty = low offers (if any at all).
Jan 22, 2008 06:53 AM
Barb Hutchinson, Fruitland Idaho - Payette County homes and real estate
Silverhawk Realty - Payette, ID
www.BarbHutchinsonHomes.com
In times past, even a dirty home could get an offer fairly fast.  That was when there was not much on the market.  But not today!  In our market, it  had better be clean and nice and priced right or no offer will be forthcoming. 
Jan 22, 2008 04:19 PM
Sandra Hughes
Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA
Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia
How true.  I remember years ago when I was buying my first house I went into a townhouse that was so filthy I was afraid to touch anything.  In fact it was so dirty that I could not conceive of buying it unless the carpets were ripped out, new appliances were installed and it was freshly painted.
Jan 22, 2008 09:50 PM