This morning, while looking for a nice home for my clients to buy - one in a good location that they'll enjoy living in and look forward to raising a family in - I saw the following:
- 80 sq ft tuff shed w/loft storage & refinished cupboards throughout*spacesaver microwave & fridge w/ice maker*newer vinyl@kitchen & laundry & entries*Pella stormdoor*New kit faucet & pantry*remodeled half bath*gutter screens, on garage gutters*all 3 toilets replaced*ceiling fan in main floor office area*glass tub enclosure in hall bath*bonus walk-in closet upstairs* leaded glass fixture in dining room.
While it's true that home buyers would be glad to know about expensive repairs or replacement, such as central air, furnace, and roof, I don't think the list above is going to make a potential home buyer say, "Oooooo, Ahhhhhh! Let's buy it!" Do you? As a matter of fact, here's what this list makes me think,
"These people didn't do any major improvement on this 1970s house, but every little thing they did do is a big deal in their minds. They probably believe things like new toilets and gutter screens justify a higher price, and will not be willing to consider a market-value offer. They will also be likely to have a fit if the buyer asks them to fix any issues found during inspection."
If you plan to sell a home (or list a home!) - is that the impression you want to give? People don't buy a house because it has new toilets. They buy a house that has the right number of rooms, square footage, is located in the right area, is listed for the right price, and is the best one they've seen in their price range. Please people - hire a real estate agent who will market the aspects of your home that buyers will actually be looking for!
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I write posts on real estate issues and local events in the Denver metro area, especially those *communities between Denver and Boulder, as a public service. My hope is to give people an idea of the ‘flavor’ of our community, in case they’re new or moving to the Denver area.
I am a residential real estate agent, happily helping folks buy a house or sell a house in the beautiful and friendly *suburbs northwest of Denver. *Arvada, Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Westminster; also Thornton, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Northglen, Lakewood
Read more about Arvada Colorado, a historic small town between Denver and Boulder.
Find Homes for Sale, no Matter Who Listed Them, at Dream House Hunting.
Copyright © 2012 Joetta Fort, Broker, The DiGiorgio Group
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