A Brass attack can kill your sale and cost more than you think! Agents have all seen it. The shiny golden lighting and fixtures throughout a home that end up costing a seller thousands of dollars on the sale of their homes.
We tactfully advise replacing these lights and fixtures to responses like "if buyers don't like them they can change them" or "those are expensive Baldwin brass, I can't take those out." I have to let them know, I don't care how expensive they were - brass is out of style no matter how expensive it was. Brass screams 1980's and in need of updating. At least the main areas of the entrance, dining room, kitchen and master bathroom should be addressed. What would cost the average homeowner of a 2000 sf home about $1,000 - $1500 in brushed nickel or oiled bronze fixtures from the local builder super store, will cost them $5,000 - $10,000 or more in low offers. It is a buyer's market, and buyer's will move on to the next home or overestimate the cost to do it themselves ( and offer much less).
There are scripts we can all practice and use to communicate the need to update. It's not always easy, and can make agents feel uneasy - but it is our duty to our sellers and their bottom line. Whether or not they take our advice, we must deliver the message. A way to communicate the need is to say that "what is $100 in a box is worth thousands in the room." Or, "I know you love your Baldwin brass lights and paid a lot of money for them, but buyer's won't understand that. Why don't we take them down for your next home, and replace them with brushed nickel from Home Depot."
I recently had a listing that used to be a rental home for the sellers. I suggested neutral paint for some of the rooms, replacing some light fixtures with brushed nickel and a few faucet replacements. This dream seller did just that, and the house was under contract in 26 days within 5% of list price. A neighbor from the same street came over and asked me to list his home. I gave some similar suggestions, and that seller only did some of the paint changes, but no brass elimination. I would also like to point out that white paint is not neutral, it's clinical. That house sat on the market over 6 months, and had 4 price reductions. So please sellers, listen to your agents suggestions. The good ones see many homes, know the market and competition and want the same outcome you do.
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