How Do You View Homes?
We are such a visual breed. When folks go out shopping for a home, they go into a home and see the owner’s décor, and judge that home from what they see. We recently listed our home for sale, and we are amused at the remarks agents leave from themselves or their clients. We noticed no one ever mentions the floor plan. These are a few of the actual remarks we have received.
1. Beautiful Home…Shows great!
2. Shows dark. Looks fuddy duddy
3. Clients didn’t like the flooring, but beautiful home!
4. The new flooring was great, best feature of the home.
5. Clients are looking for a project home, and yours needs nothing else done to it.
Now, most folks when they enter our home always comment on how beautiful it is. Some may think the décor is “Fuddy Duddy”, but we plan on taking that with us. (I have learned “Fuddy Duddy” means conservative.) Some folks don’t like wood or carpet; they are tile people all the way. Some folks hate tile, and would rather have linoleum and not have to worry about cleaning grout. Most folks love granite countertops…but some love stainless steel or butcher block. Some want a home painted completely builder white and will add color with décor. Some can’t wait to get the red paint out and paint a wall or two. Some are cherry cabinet people, some are white cabinet people. We all have our personal likes and dislikes. There is no right or wrong.
Just as décor goes. Some love traditional, the contemporary look, or Shabby Chic, or the black lacquer look. Some folks are into antiques, and some are pure Pottery Barn. Some are eclectic, and have a little bit of everything. Again, it is all personal preference. No right or wrong. But sometimes we have to help a client imagine what a room can be. Not everyone has the ability to see what CAN BE. They can only see what "is".
I notice some homes photograph better than others. I do get annoyed with photographers who over process and HD the photos. Looks good online, but when you actually see the home….you are so let down. What appeared to be a large room, barely qualifies for closet space. Personally I think it is deceiving. I know in our market right now, photographer photos are the big thing. That is fine, except when they cross the line in their processing. No different than taking a size 10 model and airbrush her to be a size 2. It is deceptive, plain and simple. I personally would rather see the real home taken with an iPhone, than a distorted version that is nothing close to what it is in person. We are not making magazine covers for most homes. Now the uber Luxury homes, knock yourself out. Some are worthy of a magazine cover! But, for the majority of homes, we want to see what it “really” looks like.
Ever notice in photos of properties, you are just not sure if the home is occupied. Most of us have coffee pots, toasters, the things we use every day… out on our countertops all the time. But in real estate photos, Zip-Gone-Blank….maybe a coffee pot, but everything is gone! Those photos and memo’s and calendars we keep on our frig so we don’t forget dates…Gone! But yet vacant homes are staged, so it looks like someone lives there. Some folks need to see what a home looks like with furniture in it. We are visual. Some folks just cannot picture what their belongings would look like in an empty home, and others have it decorated with their stuff before they walk back out the front door.
I tell my clients before we open the front door. Remember…the furniture and décor goes with the owner, so look at the floor plan, the way the home is laid out, the flooring and anything they are not taking with them. Then, if they love everything except the flooring…then they can change it. Some may love a home except a patio is too small….then they can extend it if room allows. Don’t like the color of the walls, paint is cheap. Back yard is too plain… plant some flowers and trees…Everything is perfect except no granite countertops…then replace them. Make it your own. Generally it is nothing that has to be right now, but over time…one project at a time.
If the floor plan, the layout, the size, the location and price meets your needs…the rest is your own personality. Don’t be put off by how the previous owner has decorated the home. They are taking it with them.
I encourage agents to give homeowner’s feedback whenever asked. First, you were asked, it is a professional common courtesy to your fellow agents. When you ask for feedback, send something so that agents remembers which listing it was. That agent probably showed many listings that day, and need a reminder of what your listing looked like. For any agent who feels it is beneath them to give feedback, remember…Karma. If you haven’t met her yet…you will. It takes seconds to answer an email, but the agent will remember you took the time. And you will want the same for your listings.
Sherry Scales, REALTOR®
CLHMS, GRI, SRES, ABR designations to serve you better.
Austin Texas Homes, LLC
512.925.8928 Cell
Visit my website: www.SearchHomesInLakeway.com to search for homes.
If you have friends who you think could benefit from my services, I am never too busy for your referrals.
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