My home is my canvas. With that said, I have to tell you that each time I start a new project, I can't help but think about the condition it was in when my husband and I first looked at it, and then the condition is was in when the owners moved out. The home was only four years old, so one would expect it to be in fairly good repair and free of most wear and tear you'd see in older homes. And initially, it appeared to be in great condition.
However, it turned out that the previous owners weren't into spending money on regular maintenance and annual plans... such as pest control, or ....air conditioning and maintenance. Having ants come marching in day after day and the AC breaking down within two weeks of closing, tells me that the previous owners were all about quick fixes.
As if that weren't bad enough, the owners also listed certain big items (a hottub, for example) for sale with the home and then either took them or gave them away. The fact that we had to clean out toothpaste and body hair from bathroom drawers and repaint or tear down wallpaper from the entire first floor added a new element to home buying. No big deal, right? Well, when they listed the home, instead of doing a great job of painting or cleaning, they simply painted or wallpapered around existing furniture... I'm not kidding.
The lesson I learned is to look more closely at each room and each space and ensure defects are listed on the inspection form for negotiating with the seller.
Items listed as part of the sale had better be part of the sale.
It's been three years since we bought the home. The previous owners still live in the state - and although I did not know them, I hold them in low regard. It leaves a bad impression.
So, the point to all this is this - Make your home welcoming, even if you are selling it. Don't deliberately hide broken wood flooring under rugs, don't simply paint over a leaking ceiling that is in need of repair, and never list items as "conveys" when you have no intention of leaving them with the home.
If you do not have the time nor energy to make your home a great for the next owner - contact a professional to help. If you are moving into a home previously owned by someone who "put on a great facade" call a professional to help - it costs less than therapy.
www.SimplyBeautifulSpaces.com can get you the professional help you need!
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