Special offer

The Devil is in the Details

By
Real Estate Agent with Associate Broker, Momentum Realty
If you are thinking of putting your house on the market, you have probably decided that you need to do some updates. You might be getting the indoors or outdoors painted, you might be replacing the flooring or doing a quick kitchen or bath update.
 
One area that homeowners overlook is taking care of the small details. After all, most sellers believe that buyers will be focused on the big stuff. While that is true, I would contend that the small details can be a big deal to a buyer.
 
As I walk through a house with buyers, we are looking at each home carefully. We close lookopen closets, look in cabinets and throw open shower curtains. We notice blown out light bulbs (does the fixture work?) and we notice un-weeded flower beds. Why do these things matter? If we notice that the caulk around a bathtub is covered with mold, what other small details might a homeowner have ignored?
 
Too often, a judgment about a property is made quickly by the buyer. An unkempt front door can give an impression of a home that is neglected by the seller.  Truth be told, the seller might be focused on big ticket items: keeping the roof in good condition, getting the HVAC serviced, replacing the windows.  Unfortunately, those items and their condition are not as obviously visible to the buyer.
 
When you are contemplating the listing of your home, don't overlook the little things.  While the big things indicate that the house is well maintained, the little things can undermine that impression and leave a bad feeling with the buyer.
Posted by

 

If you like what you've read, please consider subscribing to my blog by clicking on the Orange RSS button and following the instructions. Thanks!

 Momentum Realty

A GREAT Real Estate  experience.

If I can help you, your friends or family buy or sell their next home in Northern Virginia, please let me know!

If you need help with a home outside of Northern Virginia, I have an extensive network of referral agents and will make sure you are working with the best!

The contents of this blog may not be copied or reproduced without the permission of Holly Weatherwax.

 

 

Save

Comments (4)

Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

So true!  The little things can be interpretted, correctly or incorrectly, to mean something much bigger.

Nov 13, 2012 10:27 PM
Scott M. Stulich
Signature Realty Group, LLC. - Dundalk Sparrows Point, MD
"REALTY becomes REALITY"

I look at the small things like this, if you don't take care of the obvious, then your not taking care of the major things either. Minor details speak volumes.

Nov 13, 2012 11:30 PM
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

The home should be cleaned and free of clutter and I mean cleaned like it's never been cleaned before.  Hire someone and clean it before and after they leave.  Then tomorrow, wake up and clean it again.

Nov 14, 2012 01:58 AM
Monica Murphy
Preferred Staging, LLC - Potomac Falls, VA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA

Holly - I totally agree with you!  When I do a staging consultation at a home that is decluttered and neat as a pin, I often will start to find little details that need attention.  The home owner has obviously worked very hard to get the house to this near pristine condition, and here I am telling them there's more to do.  But I tell them that because the house IS in excellent show condition, all that's left for buyers to look at are the details.  Its actually a good problem to have, because they will have truly addressed ever possible issue a buyer can find.

Nov 26, 2012 10:00 AM