Friday's Tip: Make sure the key works.
I can't tell you how many houses I've visited where the key doesn't work easily. The lights are on, the heat is on, the place shows beautifully, but the key doesn't turn. Sometimes that's because owners use a different door than the one that's keyed. For example, in our house, we come in through the garage, but when we have company, they come through the front door.
But it doesn't send the message that you want to send. As a seller, you want buyers to think of your house as being worry-free, and well-maintained. If the key doesn't turn, or the door doesn't open easily, it suggests that the owners are ok with that condition. Buyers begin to wonder (sometimes subconsciously, sometimes not) about what else might not be perfect.
Plus, you definitely don't want a Realtor muttering about the lock. You want easy.
I've actually had to cancel showings just because I couldn't get the lock to turn. I mean, turning around with buyers who want to see the house, but can't get in. Not to spend someone else's money, but a brand new lockset costs less than $100. They're easy enough to install that even thumbs-Mikus can do it.
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