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Think You Can Sell A Home with All THAT in IT???

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marshall Enterprises

Having done so many trashouts of  perfectly nice looking home from the OUTSIDE, I can tell you that if some of those homeowners had used the money they spent on eBray, Walmark and Targee, they might have saved themselves from having to move.

 

I have walked into homes with laundry areas FILLED with clothes that are dirty and smelly.  I have seen foods on the counters that are rotting….and this was while the home was still being marketed as salable.

 

Some people do have organizational problems, and a good realtor can give them direction on what NEEDS to be done: clean the litter boxes, clean the toilets, clean the kitchen, but, ultimately, it is up to the seller to get things done or hire it done so that potential buyers don’t just walk in, and walk right back out.

 

There is the issue of tobacco smoke, but that is less common.  Pets are a huge issue, and be careful of what you made for dinner last night.  That aroma will linger, too.

 

I don’t care what kind of air freshener you use, in Minnesota, those smells stay until the windows are open again. 

 

Make sure that you have someone who doesn’t live in your home come over on a regular basis to check for the smells!  You can’t smell them, you live in it!

 

It is better to have a friend or relative give you the news, rather than a potential buyer or agent, who will pass on your home.

 

 

Just some advice from someone who has smelled nearly everything!

Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

:)  Great advice Ron.  Odors are a true blessing or a true detrement to a property! 

Jan 17, 2014 06:18 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

This is some very good advice that sellers should heed.  Smells, mess and overall appearance can truly mess up a sale!

Jan 17, 2014 06:19 AM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Yes, you have seen a lot, my friend.  There have been many challenges in selling short sales and near-bank-owned homes.

Jan 17, 2014 06:45 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I bet you have seen it all doing trashouts. I've been in a lot of REOs pre trashout and it is really amazing how much stuff people have...and we're just looking at the stuff they left behind. LOL. 

Jan 17, 2014 07:12 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Great description Ron, reminded me of a few of our rentals, and why is sometimes takes a month to get them ready to show after the tenants leave.

Jan 17, 2014 08:05 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Ron I've got one coming up that I sure wish you lived here.....it needs so much work before we could even begin to think about putting it on the market. Wise words!

Jan 17, 2014 08:54 AM
Florida Tolbert Team Keller Williams Advantage
Keller Williams Advantage III Realty in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL
Keller Williams Land Luxury Division Specialist

I forwarded feedback today after warning the sellers multiple times about the condition of the house directly from multiple showings with exactly what other agents had to say.  Hopefully this will get their attention to the issues.

Jan 17, 2014 11:11 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Ron - excellent advice -- it's better to hear about horrible smells from someone who let you know honestly rather than a buyer who decides to leave your home to avoid the offensive odors.   

Jan 17, 2014 01:31 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Hi Ron~ Bad odors can definitely have a huge negative impact on the sale of a home. It's one of those distractions one really can't ignore!

Jan 18, 2014 02:19 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Ron, as always great points to share!, Endre

Jan 18, 2014 04:07 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I really enjoy doing trashouts most of the time.  I take pride in keeping items out of landfills and recycling "junk", but I hate doing kitchens and bathrooms.  Yuck.

Jan 19, 2014 04:27 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy  Ron, outstanding post! That sure is a mighty good tip on having someone check for smells, which does not live in the home.

Jan 22, 2014 07:20 AM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

I know you do a great service to realtors and the community when you do your "environmentally-friendly" trashouts without even extra expense.  Good job.

Jan 31, 2014 07:20 AM