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What About Those Nail Holes?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

 

Recently received an email with the following question:

''When you list a house, what happens with all the holes that are in the wall from things like art and drapery rods?''

 

This was my email response.

That's a good question...I may have to use it in a blog or for Sunday's radio show.

 

-Really nice, kind and considerate people would spackle, repair and paint.

 

-Others may fill the holes with putty, soap, crayon or even toothpaste.

 

-Others may leave the nails in the walls and... that way there are no holes.

 

And others.. may just leave the holes and do nothing.

 

 

3 Nails

 

Large holes, where built ins etc have been removed, obviously should repaired.

 

Now the question..What if they are not?

Well some may say it is "normal" wear and tear and nothing is done.

It also depends on what the contract says.

 

If a buyer is concerned...address it in the contract..."Seller to fill in and repair all existing wall damage....''

There is also a walk through prior to settlement. This is the time to have the discussion about damage that was not there before...ie a gouged wall from the movers.

The best thing for a buyer... address it in the contract.

The best thing for a seller...do the right thing.

 

 

Margaret Rome

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Best answer to this question ever.  Yes, big damage should be repaired.  If you expect small nail holes spackled and painted, get it in writing.

May 12, 2018 02:48 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Agree - big stuff should always be addressed. And, in a perfect world, every seller would make sure holes are filled and painted. Since it's not always a perfect world, get it in writing. Nothing original from me - sorry. 

May 12, 2018 02:53 PM
Gary & Melynda Wolter, Since 2001, 480-269-1164
ProSmart Realty - Mesa, AZ
Reliable, Premier Personal Service since 2001

Everything in writing for sure. Minor holes have never been a big deal to our sellers. Definitely something to look at during final walk through.

May 12, 2018 02:55 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland ,

Good topic! I always tell my sellers to expect to fill those nail holes ..its the right thing to do but always best to write in the contract. In our state all draperies, rods and window coverings convey so shouldn't be filling any holes there!

May 12, 2018 04:35 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Margaret, just listed a small condo that had been a rental, and the homeowner actually went back and took out over 100 nails, and spackled.   Only those considerate do that!

May 12, 2018 05:27 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I always ask the buyers of mine what their thoughts on the nail holes

May 12, 2018 07:30 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

 

Thanks for all your comments. It looks like we are all on the same page.

May 12, 2018 07:35 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Dorie Dillard We have to specify that draperies, shades and window coverings stay.

May 12, 2018 07:38 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Joan Cox They did the right thing. Thanks for stopping by.

May 12, 2018 07:38 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That's a good response to the question, Margaret.  I hope you enjoy Mother's Day!

May 13, 2018 05:54 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Margaret,
Unfortunately not all sellers "do the right thing" so the safe thing, of course, is to address it in the contract.   If we all lived by the Golden Rule, life would be so much simpler, wouldn't it?

May 13, 2018 07:08 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

 

Thank you Myrl Jeffcoat Enjoy your day. Getting ready for my 12 noon radio show.. Hope we have some callers on this Mother's Day

May 13, 2018 08:12 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Carol Williams  So True!!   

 If we all lived by the Golden Rule, life would be so much simpler, wouldn't it?

May 13, 2018 08:14 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Excellent answer.  For me, personally, I prefer they leave all the picture hangers right where they are so I can come in and hang my pictures without delay.  If I want to move them later, that's on me, but I love having them already hanging. 

Not everyone is the same, of course! 

May 13, 2018 01:07 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Interesting Susan Haughton  that you would like the nails left. Guess the best advice is to make your preference known prior to settlement. Thanks for sharing.

May 13, 2018 02:05 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

For my 28 years I have lived with the nail holes and yes, I have seen a lot of toothpaste being used

May 13, 2018 03:07 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Joe Pryor Hope you have always found white toothpaste.

May 13, 2018 04:09 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Margaret what an informative post, I would prefer my sellers to either fix it right and not even become an issue during the sales and marketing process... on the other hand if it I represent the buyer, I would prefer to leave it alone since the likely hood is they will do a chewing gum repair and it will be more difficult for the new owners to fix it... since the odds are they will come in and repaint the inside anyway to their liking, Endre

May 13, 2018 11:28 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

 

Endre Barath, Jr.  Always enjoy seeing you.

Interesting comment..different thoughts for your buyers and for your sellers. 

If you are working for the seller...have them fixed. If you are working for the buyer..specify if you want this taken care.

May 14, 2018 09:09 AM