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The Challenges of Selling Messy Homes

By Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Real Estate Agent with Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker DRE #00697006

July 18, 2016 01:52 AM

A former client called me last week to list her residence in Sacramento, and I'm going by the home today to meet with her husband. They've already bought a retirement home and are moving shortly. He asked if should remodel the kitchen or make other substantial improvements prior to selling.

Without viewing the home, it was easy to tell him that's a bad idea. If he is not a professional flipper nor a contractor, then he won't get his money back by remodeling the kitchen. If it costs him $40,000 to remodel the kitchen and he gets only $35,000 back, why would he do it? You should remodel a kitchen if you plan to spend enough time in the home to enjoy the efforts.

Some types of improvements are necessary and some will lose money. You can read more about this in my personal blog today at this link: Selling a Messy Home In Sacramento.

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Larry Johnston

Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN

Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents , You make a valid point here. Why spend all the time, energy and money if you don't get much of a return.

Jul 18, 2016 02:43 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning, Elizabeth --- it's a business decision based on market conditions although i do believe a professional cleaning can pay off handsomely. A kitchen remodel or spackling over a nail hole in a hellish environment --- well, some conversations can test my snarkiness.

Jul 18, 2016 03:33 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I've had those messy listings too, and the best you can do is to paint a true picture of what someone will find when they go there. That and price it right.

Jul 18, 2016 03:45 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®

Carmel by the Sea, CA

Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Remember one where the lady seller had nailed BIG LONG NAILS at various places in the walls to hold back curtains so you could see the view. It never did sell and now I noticed a "For Sale By Owner" sign out front!

Jul 18, 2016 04:15 AM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Larry Johnston So often homeowners look at the increased value of a home that is fixed up and then think they should do the same thing, without giving thought to the return on investment.

Jul 18, 2016 06:00 AM

Larry Johnston

Elkhart, IN

Michael Jacobs Yes, the spackling over the nail hole in -- the way you put it -- a hellish environment, which is a good description, pretty much made my eyeballs bounce out of my head. She was so sincere and innocent about it. I wanted to scream LOOK AROUND YOU, but restrained.

Jul 18, 2016 06:02 AM

Chris Ann Cleland It helps if the home is in a desirable location. I recently sold a home in the Pocket of Sacramento for way over list price, and the place smelled like cat urine, plus the cats had clawed the carpeting and the walls down to the chalk in the Sheetrock.

Jul 18, 2016 06:04 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Gainesville, VA

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® Don't recall that one but I do remember the tenants eating lunch at the dining bar who continued shoving food into their mouths as we tried to squeeze by them to see the rest of that crappy home.

Jul 18, 2016 06:05 AM

The Challenges of Selling Messy Homes

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Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

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