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Spring TX Real Estate: The key is the KEY

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene 0512346

When I am out showing homes to buyers I am frequently asked "Can we see the garage?"  Sure no problem, I say. Until I realize that I have just spoken too soon. The home that we are viewing has a detached garage and there is no key or garage door opener to be found. 

I used to think that it is only a garage and just because we were unable to view it is no reason for my buyers to delay writing an offer. I was wrong. The garage has become much more than where we park our cars. In fact drive down the streets of any neighborhood in Spring Texas and you are bound to see more cars parked in the driveways than in the garages.

Our garages have become our personal storage units. And store we do. Everything from lawn equipment to bikes to garage sale items to Christmas decorations to exercise equipment to an additional refrigerator to boats. What buyers of your house are really wanting to know is will all of their stuff fit.

spring tx house keyBuyers are not going to write an offer on your house until they have seen the garage. So if you have a detached garage, leave the key or garage door opener in plain sight so that we can see if all of my buyers stuff is going to fit.

While we are on the subject of keys and garages, we should also talk about attached garages. How many of us DO NOT carry a house key with us? I would have to guess the majority of homeowners with attached garages would say they do not carry us a house key. After all what do we need a house key for? We gain access to our home through the garage and we get into the garage using the remote control.

But now you have your home on the market. Buyers and their Realtors will be viewing your home. When they are done viewing your home they want to safe guard your possessions and will lock all of the doors before leaving. You have just been locked out of your house.

Save yourself some inconvenience, make a couple of extra keys before you put your Spring TX house on the market. Remember the key is the KEY. 

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Jill Wente - for all your Spring TX Real Estate needs
Realtor

(281) 804-8626

jwente@garygreene.com
Spring TX Real Estate Blog
Michael (Mike) Elliott
Nottingham Real Estate Group - Hamilton, NJ
Good post Jill!  Btw, Im a big Josh Beckett fan!  Do you know him?
Feb 21, 2008 04:15 AM
Jill Wente
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene - Spring, TX
Realtor, CRS, MCNE, CHMS
thank you, Mike. No I do not know Josh Beckett personally.
Feb 21, 2008 04:17 AM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

Jill, great information. I especially like your seven tips. In Arizona, even with three car garages, cars park outside. Helloooooooo!!!!! Why buy a home with a huge garage if you don't use it for your car? You're right though. So many use the garage as a storage area only. Crazy.......now let's see, where is my house key. ;-)

Pepper

Feb 21, 2008 05:04 AM
Jill Wente
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene - Spring, TX
Realtor, CRS, MCNE, CHMS
Teri: We have a two car garage with extra storage and we still only park one car in the garage. I would really have to hunt to find a house key.
Feb 21, 2008 05:13 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results
Jill - LOL- In the two houses we have owned that had garages the car might have been in one for about a year all told out of 25 plus years
Feb 25, 2008 12:48 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I have to laugh, Jill. Many home owners in Sacramento do not park in their garages, either. That's probably because we have very few homes with basements or attic space for storage. Plus, when it's sunny and dry for most of the year, why park in the garage? Although, I do. But I must admit that my space in the garage seems to be getting smaller and smaller. When that happens, I take whatever is using up space and plop it in the street. Gone within minutes, if not seconds.


Feb 26, 2008 04:22 AM