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Upgraded or Outdated. Why?

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Real Estate Agent with AllMountainRealty.com

Jim Crawford wrote a blog about agents stretching the truth a bit when it comes to comments about a listing being updated and saying a home is upgraded or outdated. It is an interesting post and a good read. It dovetailed with a conversation I had this morning.

What got me to writing this post was that this morning at breakfast AFTER the visitor, (See my earlier blog The Visitor), we were watching HG TV . My wife asked me is it necessary to do all these upgrades in a home? We as Realtors take for granted the mantra of new shiny granite etc etc. But the conclusion we came to is you are buying a home you may not need upgrades.

Many people like our home because they say it is cozy and feels comfortable. That is because it is older. The construction has beams and the floor is oak and the home is simple. So older traditional as long as it is working can stand on its own and does not in mu opinion need upgrading.

Interestingly enough the 2 rooms we are looking to upgrade are the bathrooms on the main level. The reason is they have been upgraded and our dated!!! If they had the original pedestal sinks and tile we probably would have worked to restore.

So I guess if you have old and classic make it shiny and functional and do not worry about the upgrade upgrade mantra.

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Charlie Ragonesi All Mountain Realty Big Canoe and Mountain Blog

On line at www.allmountainrealty.com Call at 706 579 1098

We sell Homes                                                    

 

Comments(8)

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Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Charlie:

I agree with you.

Some upgrades are over-rated...

May 24, 2009 05:28 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

There's a difference between old & outdated and old & updated.  You can keep the charm of the older homes as long as you stay to one theory of the upgrading and don't go 1" tile in one room and 18" tile in another.

May 24, 2009 05:46 AM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

The upgrading simply depends on the house and the person buying it.  In older areas, some people like the classic original look.  However if you are trying to sell for top dollar, updating especially in kitchen and baths is a must.

May 24, 2009 05:58 AM
Paul Francis
Francis Group Real Estate - Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Real Estate Agent - Summerlin Homes

Many upgrades are over rated... it's all about the floorplan. Our older home without all of the shiny new upgrades was loved by all...

May 24, 2009 05:58 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Many people confuse upgrades with taking care of long overdue maintenance. Kitchens that are worn, stained out of square need to be updated. Bathrooms with mismatched fixtures, old tile gaudy colors need to be remodeled, not necessarily with the big spa tub and the 5 side shower. Sometimes people get so carried away with the things they see in TV programs and at the homes shows that they feel they are behind the times if they don't have the same.

Clean and neat works for me. 

May 24, 2009 06:32 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Crlie all thse confused upgrades     ONe day a system will come alone that will throw a nother ostable in the way.

May 24, 2009 08:06 AM
Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Charlie, I believe you are right on this one. Also, I've seen gifted people that can take the plainest home and make it "dazzling" with style and grace. It's sometimes the people that make a house!

May 24, 2009 09:43 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Hi Charlie: I see so many so-called upgrades that make me cringe because the owners removed all the character from the home! There are ways to do upgrades that blend with the home's architectural style and, of course, as you say, ways to restore. When we remodeled our kitchen, we were careful to choose cabinets that added to the style of our home, replaced a broken down dishwasher, got rid of our electric stove and installed gas, things that made our lives easier but did not distract from the character of a 1948 home.

sacramento agent

May 25, 2009 04:17 AM