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What is wrong with this door?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

I came across this door last weekend. I got a call from an expired listing where the seller wanted some help in selling his home. I toured the home, made some notes and sat down to talk about price. The seller wanted to list it AS IS and sell it quickly. It had been for sale since summer and went unsold. This is part 1 in my scariest homes this Halloween series. 

 

I went over the value AS IS and what it could be worth repaired. I told him what price I would list the home is AS IS. What offers may come in at and what the most likely sales price would be. He signed the listing but then there was a "What if" from his wife. WHAT IF they repaired some things and not others?

 

I walked through the home with them. Told them pretend they were the buyers and tell me what they liked, did not like and what concerns them. We ended up at the side door where I took this picture. The side door leads to the driveway and is the door most likely used to bring buyers in and out. He literally had a screw driver stuck in a flower ot to get in and out. Before I could ask what, why and how... He said the other agent could not get the lock box off so he just took the door handle. WHAT? They said they could not afford a locksmith to come fix it.

 

First things first, I actually had a Kwikset LOCK SET in my trunk. I grabbed it along with my trusty Dewalt DRILL and in less than 2 minutes had a new lock installed and handed them their new keys. They were amazed and very thank full. For me it was an easy fix. I can not show buyers a home using a screw driver to get in. We can not just have an unsecured home. 

 

With the new lock installed, we got to the next problem. Did you notice the light coming in around the door? With no storm door and a cold windy Sunday, the cold breeze came right in. No I did not have any Weather Stripping in my car, but wrote down what they need, told them how easy it is to press and stick on. Best of all it was only $4.18 to buy. 

 

In the end they are moving some furniture around, getting rid of some clutter, sprucing up the yard and getting the home ready to show buyers. They will wask the door and all surfaces. Wash the floors and take down the old cutains. There is a market for homes that need work. They can be made to show better while not spending a lot of money and using a little elbow grease. The seller was very happy he hired me and had a new hope.

 

The MOST IMPORTANT thing in real estate for me, is to provide great service. To stand out from the crowd by being there through each step of the buying or selling process. My message that I want to share in Real Estate, is that my philosophy is simple, to provide more personal and professional service to guide clients through each step of the buying or selling process. All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest.

 

To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com .

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. Proud to be locally owned and operated with 32 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area.We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs. Servicing Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Belknap counties. 

 

    

 

 

 

Comments (32)

Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

People always imagine "fixes" to be expensive....and sometimes it really is...Not sooo much but it can make a HUGE difference !

Oct 22, 2018 02:47 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Scott- sellers who hire you are the lucky ones. You take the time to explain what other agents haven't. 

Oct 22, 2018 03:55 PM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

It is the little things.  You don't have to spend a lot of money to make a huge impact on how the property shows!  A little cleaning inside and out can make enough of a difference to get an offer this time around.  Best of luck to you and to your new sellers!

Oct 22, 2018 04:14 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

You are a well prepared real estate agent. I listed a house and the front door was hard to latch. I went and got my tool box out of the car and chiseled and reset the door strike. My husband had taught me how to do it. Easy fix and the seller was impressed.

Oct 22, 2018 06:44 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Scott.

I wonder what's in the trunk of your vehicle at any given time?  It seems you are well prepared for almost any problem

Oct 23, 2018 01:46 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you for the comment Jeff Stevens 

Oct 23, 2018 04:57 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I list a lot of REO Peter den Boer so keeping a couple of spare lock sets and a drill is a must

Oct 23, 2018 04:58 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD  giving the best in service is a good recipe for a happy client

Oct 23, 2018 04:59 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It was a little of all  Nina Hollander 

Oct 23, 2018 05:00 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

That is so true Myrl Jeffcoat and simply talking about it, giving options and what repairs will mean, often get sellers to act.

Oct 23, 2018 05:01 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you Sheri Sperry - MCNE®. Some times a little elbow grease, some picking up and some throwing out makes a word of difference. Many sellers seem that they gave uo, just waiting for direction. 

Oct 23, 2018 05:03 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I see that some do not know how Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 . Some have given up and others think it costs a fortune . I like to ask questions, seek answers and offer advice. There is a buyer for every home

Oct 23, 2018 05:04 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you for the comment Hannah Williams Many a day i call in the people  know that can do the work. Sometimes it is easier for me to just do it. Many seelrs need work and just dont know were to start

Oct 23, 2018 05:06 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I do Belinda Spillman but there is a reason, I still list, manage and sell REO, so having some door locks, a box of screws, a hammer, drill and flashlight is a must. 

Oct 23, 2018 05:09 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I dont get it Patricia Feager as some common maintenance is a must. I see quite a few who seemed to have given up and let everything go.

Oct 23, 2018 05:10 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

Scott Godzyk - I noticed it's becoming more and more common and it has nothing to do with income. 


Home maintenance and problem solving goes together like a shingle on a roof. But if you can't see the shingles and you never look up, it will still let you know when there's a problem!

Oct 23, 2018 05:15 AM
Scott Godzyk

Same here Patricia Feager and it is in all sizes and price ranges. It takes more effort to walk around a door that needs fixing then to just fix it.   

Oct 23, 2018 05:17 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

The lock is $11 and the weather stripping $5. Some just do not know and others cant be bothered Sally K. & David L. Hanson 

Oct 23, 2018 05:11 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I like to think that is what makes me stand out Kathy Streib and it keeps past clients referring me everyone they know.

Oct 23, 2018 05:11 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you Karen Feltman. Many sellers do not realize a little effort, some cleaning and de cluttering can make a world of difference in selling and value.  

Oct 23, 2018 05:12 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

That is impressive Debbie Reynolds . Thanks for the comment

Oct 23, 2018 05:13 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Before i sold them all, i had lots of apartments, i also list REO still, so i keep what is needed. A couple of lock sets, a hammer, drill, screw driver, screws, flash light, pepper spray, lots of hand sanitizer, an oak clothes hanging rod i can use as walking  stick or protection in vacant homes James Dray. Neatly put in a plastic bin and a tool box ready for anything 

Oct 23, 2018 05:16 AM