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Just Like Us, Our Homes Have to Stay in Good Shape

By
Home Stager

Just Like Us, Our Homes Have to Stay in Good Shape.

Over the many years I’ve been helping people prepare their home for getting your house in shapesale, one of the hardest things to tackle is getting the home in shape after years of unintentional neglect.

 

It can be overwhelming when your agent or stager gives you a suggested list of updates and repairs.

 

Houses are just like us...it takes work to keep them in shape.

Whether you’re planning on selling your house soon or down the road, there are key things you can do to keep your house in good shape.

 

Assess your kitchen

This is the primary area a buyer will view and upon which they will make a “yes” or “no” decision to buy or not.

If you plan on moving soon, then consider updates that will not break the bank but will help your kitchen with that newly updated look. These may be adding new countertops, replacing the hardware, new lighting, painting the cabinets, new appliances, and new flooring.

If your plans are more long term, you may want to invest in creating more of a kitchen that you want but will still be buyer friendly.

Review your flooring

You see this area every day but may not realize that it needs help! Worn carpeting or chipped tiles send a signal to a potential buyer that the home has not been cared for and that there will be additional out of pocket expenses should they buy your house.

If you’re not sure what type of flooring to choose, visit Debbie Gartner  The Flooring Girl for a complete rundown.

 

home repairBegin to make updates in the rest of your house

There are many relatively inexpensive projects that if you start now will go a long way in updating your house. Don’t forget the Master Bath area!  New light fixtures and countertops are a start. Turn this area into a spa or retreat!

New lighting and plumbing fixtures are a start. Why not enjoy this while you’re still living in your home.

 

Address any deferred maintenance projects

Don’t let all of your “to do” projects pile up until you’re ready to sell. It will only add to your stress.

Those broken railings, rusted outdoor light fixtures, dents in doors, broken glass or mirrors...take care of them now. If you’ve been waiting for a hurricane to come to take off that roof that you know needs to be replaced...don’t wait.

 

Your house could be the single largest investment you’ll ever make. Why not enjoy now all of the things you’ll be asked to do when you sell your house!

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

In Person Consultations in Texas
for Houston & Harris Counties
and
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for all states


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Comments (32)

Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Kathy - those maintenance and replacement can pile up like HVAC and Roofs. 

Jul 13, 2017 07:17 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

 Hi Kathy Streib, I think some get too comfortable with the way they've been living and rather spend the money elsewhere. Updating our homes is necessary even if we're not selling. Some are very simple and won't break the bank.

Jul 13, 2017 08:25 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Barbara Todaro I'm working on my effective age!!

LOL James Dray it's never too late to start.  Talk to Barbara Todaro!

Nina Hollander we have a good friend who has a project a year that they work on for their home. It's very well kept.

Jul 13, 2017 08:48 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Michael Jacobs so true, and it's good that she inspires us to keep it moving.

Dorie Dillard that's the issue I see in many homes I consult on. It's unfortunate because when it's time to sell the tasks seem insurmountable.

Donald Urschalitz Agents love it because it's a lot easier to list and show that kind of home.

Jul 13, 2017 08:51 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Thank you very much Gordon Crawford 

Sheila Anderson it makes so much more sense to keep your home in good shape!

Wayne Martin you and James Dray can join a boot camp run by Barbara Todaro 

Jul 13, 2017 09:42 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sally K. & David L. Hanson A lot better than waiting until you sell!

Brian England that's thinking smart!!!

Sharon Lee that's absolutely true!  But it's never too late to get started.

Grant Schneider And then it hits you all at once!

 

Jul 13, 2017 09:45 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Exactly Beth Atalay And why not enjoy the updates yourself!

Jul 13, 2017 09:46 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I enjoyed reading your post. I will share it with others.

Jul 13, 2017 10:06 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kathy,

These are definitely wise words.  Putting off taking car of things is a dangerous habit.  What can cost next to nothing to fix escalates into mega bucks when ignored...A

Jul 13, 2017 10:31 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Kathy - As always, your advice is excellent and highlights a common situation for sellers. What we're willing to live with often just isn't eneough for the best result when putting a home on the market.

Jul 13, 2017 01:05 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kathy this is a great analogy - keep in shape both oneself and your home!  Excellent advice as always - thanks!

Jul 13, 2017 02:04 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Kitchens and flooring aren't the places to overlook before selling.

Jul 13, 2017 02:32 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Excellent blog Kathy Streib and a blog that should be printed and put on every home owners fridge

Jul 13, 2017 03:08 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

You're absolutely right, Kathy.  Deferred maintenance on homes is just as detrimental as deferred maintenance on ourselves.

Jul 13, 2017 03:58 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy

For some, keeping the house in shape is no issue while others clearly struggle with it and deferred maintenance is a big issue when it comes time to sell. Sometimes sellers do not realize how much work they have ahead of them to get ready for prime time, especially if they don't allow enough time for preparations!

Jeff

Jul 13, 2017 11:02 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I would also suggest moving the furniture around to see the conditions you miss.

Jul 13, 2017 11:10 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Oh yes, great advice.  I was just having a conversation about maintaining your home a couple of days ago and how deferred maintenance ends up costing you more in the long run.  Oh, and thx for the link.  I really appreciate it.

Jul 14, 2017 11:42 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

As you know, we are considering moving. We haven't found the "one" yet so we haven't listed our house. But....we did replace all the flooring because I know it had to be done for the best chance of selling for our price. Wish we didn't have to spend the money, but I'm sure it was a wise investment for a future sale.

Jul 14, 2017 02:09 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Just yesterday I showed a home that had not had any updates since the day it was built. How sad and dated it was. Plus they were asking top dollar. Homes have to stay current and in good shape to attract a new buyer. Your updating tips are timeless.

Jul 15, 2017 10:31 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Absolutely wonderful post, Kathy - and so true! That maintenance can make or break a seller. Deferred maintenance can cost a seller FAR more than the cost of the maintenance, had it been kept up.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Jul 15, 2017 08:35 PM