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PUBLIC BATHROOMS AND CURB APPEAL

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with people first...then business Ran Right Realty 636943 licensed to thrill

We all know the rule of thumb on a public rest room in a restaurant. If that place is filthy, well don't waste another minute...get out of there and forget about eating anything. The bathroom in today's world is an excellent indicator on how things are up close and in detail in many places including houses for sale

LOW EXPECTATIONS

Gas stations are notorious for having disgusting rest rooms. It is inevitable too considering that a lot of them are working gas stations and not just 7-11 stops. The fact that they keep them locked would tell you that it is an ongoing problem to manage public usage and health concerns. However, we expect them to be less than clean. We just want to know how dirty it is

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Now, lets go into a home. If the kitchen or bathrooms are filthy or even suspect, we have a PAUSE moment. Lets back up even further. If you are driving up and the curb appeal is missing, then we are on alert from that moment on. We become critical thinkers instead of buyers at that point

GARAGES SPEAK

Even a garage that is in disarray says a lot about what is going on in the home. Right in line with that are closets too. Here's a big-gee. SMELL. People do not realize that they have assimilated to their environment. WHAT SMELL is their mantra. Meanwhile others are gagging...

YOUR CAR IS A TATTLE TALE TOO

Last little thought...if your car is filthy, it is speaking. What it is saying may or may not be true of the owner, but it is worthy of gossip that's for sure. Cleanliness is a big thing for consumers and buyers as well as visitors....

This subject is non negotiable....YES?

Ty Carey
Our Father's Houses Realty - Easley, SC

Guilty as charged. I have 5 kids and my SUV is tough to keep clean on the inside. Great article! Ty

Aug 27, 2012 12:18 AM
Dan Hopper
Dan Hopper - Gold Way RE - Westminster, CO
Colorado Broker / Referral Services

Joe, there are great stories behind each one of those that we have experienced through-out the years.  One of the most important areas  that I try to have 'high expectations" on, is OUR office!!!  Nothing drives us more nuts, than to have the desk covered with SO MANY documents and stickie notes and reports and books, to the point you cannot tell if the desk is made of wood or paper!!

Aug 27, 2012 12:20 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning, Richie -- when I hear that a home looks too sterile, I prefer that  "sterile look" to some of the alternatives I see much too often while previewing or showing properties.   

Aug 27, 2012 12:33 AM
Kristen Wheatley
Better Homes & Gardens | The Masiello Group - Brunswick, ME
Supporting Success - Best Job in the World!

Agreed!  THE most important thing a home seller can do to make their home more appealing is clean!  Sellers are often excited about staging and other pre-listing improvements (which can also be important,) but they often underestimate the power and importance of cleaning.  A clean and tidy home gives the appearance that the home has been well-maintained and all systems are in good order (even if they are not.)  Likewise, the opposite is true.  Even if a home has been well maintained and has excellent systems, if it is unclean and untidy at showing time, buyers will assume it has not been maintained.

I like your restaurant bathroom analogy.  I think I'll have to use that one at my next consultation.  :-)

Aug 27, 2012 12:37 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Richie-There is a saying that cleanliness is next to Godliness. While none of us is perfect we should aim for NO SMELL and a place that looks presentable to a perspective buyer but also for ourselves on a regular basis. I have seen pics of so called pack rats where you can't even walk thru the home or others where there is garbage strewn everywhere. I WOULD NOT be dining with them. P.S. You are so right that gas station bathrooms are terrible. Places that are generally good if you travel is the state WELCOME CTRS. Have a super day.

Aug 27, 2012 12:39 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

 

Ty...knows why....If you don't stay on top of that SUV, then I will know you have five kids even before we meet....

Hello Dan...What an excellent addition to the post theme...You have co-post and host rights. Very relevant. I have had the "two" desks...The one that is clean and the one that was messy...You don't have to defend the one that is clean

Michael my boy...another excellent post here...Sterile can raise the WHY is this place sterile RED FLAG....? Good one. You have a $25 credit at Richie's general store & post

Aug 27, 2012 12:50 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

ACTIVERAIN...GIRLS

Hi there Kristen...Ly-sol or pine-sol sprayed or wiped on leaves a CLEAN smell that society has accepted and respected. Try it...it never fails to put people at ease....Your commenting is superior...thank you K

Nobody doesn't like SARA Sharon Lee...You mentioned Godliness in your commenting. I bet his clouds are the cleanest in the Universe, the air the freshest and the visitors the purest...I'm in...please God

Aug 27, 2012 12:54 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

NOTHING is as big a turnoff than a kitchen or bathroom that is not spotless and clean smelling! You are right on the money with this one!

Aug 28, 2012 12:21 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Barbara Jo...I have actually refused food at peoples houses that were offered in good faith because I saw roaches, dirtiness or something that turned me off....Once WHATEVER it is shows its ugly head, the game is changed

Aug 28, 2012 12:40 AM
Anonymous
Matt

I love my bathroom, it is a place where I can go to and just relax. i bought the accessories in my bathroom from a store online called Talk Bathrooms. Their range of fittings and accessories is amazing.

Sep 18, 2012 12:59 AM
#10
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Matt my boy...When visiting with this room, all should go well. But there is a whole wide world outside of there too...Yes?

Sep 18, 2012 01:26 AM
Anonymous
Matthew

Bathrooms are just the best, and the beauty is you can get different accessories to style your bathroom. http://www.talkbathrooms.co.uk/

Sep 21, 2012 01:15 AM
#12
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Matthew...your tour guide to your best bathroom.....

Sep 21, 2012 02:51 AM