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Behind Curtain #1: It's Not Really About the Tub and Shower

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty

Behind Curtain #1:  It's Not Really About the Tub and Shower

Home buyers are a curious bunch aren't they?  I don't have to tell you do I?  You've probably seen the evidence after a showing.  When home buyers come into your house to see whether itShower Curtain has the potential to be their future home, they'll want to investigate every little nook and cranny. 

I know that having a home on the market can keep you on pins and needles, with last minute showing request and all, but it's kind of what you sign up for when you decide to sell your home.  We know that ordinarily you're a very tidy person, but hey, everybody runs short of time at the most inconvenient times, but whatcha gonna do right?

Well when you get that showing call and only have an hour to prepare, I'll tell you what you don't want to do:

  • You don't want to pick up those dirty clothes off of the floor and toss them into and onto the closet floor.  Buyers....... you gotta love 'em.  They'll want to take a peek in your closets to check out the space to see if the space will accommodate their belongings.  I know your shrill at the thought of people peeking into your most intimate space, heaven forbid home buyers should look into our closet and be hit with your unmentionables.  Gasp!
  • What about that kitchen pantry. Well if you're like me, you won't have a thing to worry about (since I don't spend much time in the kitchen) and your pantry should look like a well organized grocery store shelf.  Oh wait, I might be among the minority so don't compare yourself to me after all.  Just know that the buyers are going to stick their heads in that pantry not only to see how much space there is, but also they'll sum you up based on what you eat.  Crazy right.
  • But the ultimate seller faux pas lies behind "Curtain #1." Yep that dreaded bathroom shower curtain.  Do you think for one minute that your bathtub and shower is really one in a millions?  If homebuyers have seen one tub and shower they've seen a thousand. They aren't interested one bit in whether your tub and shower fixtures are Kohler.  They want to see if the tub is clean or dirty.  I know.  It's sick isn't it?  But it's true.  Oh come on be honest.........haven't you ever been in someone's bathroom and peeped behind the shower curtain?  And what's worse, you weren't even checking out the house because you wanted to buy it.  It's that natural curiosity thing among us homo sapiens.

 

Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Too funny lady.  Buyers Always check the tub to see if it's clean...otherwise, what else would they check it for.  It's a tub...suggested :)!

Aug 24, 2012 08:37 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Charita~ I always warn my sellers that buyers are going to look everyone, inside closets, under rugs, behind the shelves.  You have to be prepared!

Aug 24, 2012 09:14 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Ssssss ... there is nothing like peeking around that shower curtain just to see the tub filled with dirty dishes. Just sayin ...

Aug 24, 2012 09:14 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

You've got me chuckling on this one, Charita.  We ARE a nosey bunch, for sure!   I can tell you ... as an Appraiser going into homes years ago ... I saw UNBELIEVABLE things .... the stories I can tell ...

Gene

Aug 24, 2012 09:30 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Love the tongue-in-cheek on this one.  And of course there's no dirty clothes behind the shower curtain . . . is there?!?  ;-)

Aug 24, 2012 12:28 PM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

It's a tub right Brenda? Unless of course they think something else is behind the curtain (lol).

Donna nothing is sacred when the house is on the market.

Cynthia what can I say..........some people just need bigger sinks than others.

Gene you probably saw far more than we do

Of course not Carla.  They are in the linen closet on the floor silly.

Aug 24, 2012 09:31 PM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

They do have to be ready for prying eyes!  However, they should not be looking in your dresser drawers. 

Aug 24, 2012 11:13 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Charita, fun post, and is interesting watching buyers poke around a potential purchase.   Some are nervous about being in "someone else's home" and not comfortable looking into closets and drawers!

Aug 25, 2012 12:46 AM
Gladys Webb
Kreative Realty LLC - Tuscaloosa, AL

A good post, I went to a showing and a little person left their panties on the floor and the clients had to small boys of course they noticed it before we did, it was kind of funny yet embarrassing!

Aug 28, 2012 11:48 PM