OK, I know that many will think this post has to do with a sinister side of real estate. Nope! The NASTY topic today has to do with some of the properties that we come into contact with in this business. I mean, sometimes they are downright NASTY!
So, for those who may be new to the business, you might want to skip past this post. The nitty-gritty of the reality of this business is, we don't always get to tour beautiful, clean homes. Often, we walk into a pig stye of a home and come away shaking our heads asking ourselves how some people can live the way they do.
Here are my TOP NASTY real estate experiences:
NASTY ODORS - Ugh! The smell of that litter box, urine-soaked carpets, mold or mildew, dirty clothes, cigarette smoke, grease, or other heavy cooking smells are just a few of the disgusting smells that can linger in your own nostrils and clothing for hours after leaving the property.
NASTY CONDITIONS - I have walked into many homes that were simply disgusting! Piled up dirty dishes, clothes strewn everywhere, filthy bathrooms, windows that are so dirty you can barely see out of them, unmade beds, spills, needed repairs, and on and on! I've spent countless hours with these types of clients going through the numerous items they must complete prior to listing their home.
NASTY EXTERIORS - You pull up and immediately think, "Scary house"! Cobwebs everywhere, overgrown shrubs & limbs, weeds in the yard, the "overdone" yard art, visible needed repairs, sagging roofs, broken windows, peeling paint, and basically just junk everywhere. Oh my, where do we begin? That curb appeal discussion ensues and they look at you like this doesn't apply to them.
NASTY CLUTTER - Most everyone has experienced some level of hoarding in a home. These are the ones where you open a closet and a cascade of junk comes rolling out. Or, you try and walk through that "spare room" that is filled from floor to ceiling with who knows what! How about the garage that is so packed you see rodents running in all directions? These are the homes that can sometimes take months to get ready to list. And that is if they heed your suggestions.
NASTY DECOR - This one is a bit more touchy as we all have our own tastes. However, that home that is sporting Mario Brothers wallpaper border, the overly floral everything, the home so filled with a "collection" that you can't focus on anything else, or the super outdated or extremely dark decor. My first thought is how can we work on this so the pictures will look decent?
NASTY NEGLECT - The last category I mention has to do with just a home that has been lived in hard and has never been taken care of. The owners have done very little to maintain their home and it is reflected in every single way. Dirty AC vents, broken appliances, holes in the sheetrock, walls in need of painting, really old carpeting or flooring that is worn out, and dingy everything.
So yes, we see some NASTY properties in our business. The real skill comes in with knowing how to have "real" open and honest discussions to help our clients. Helping to guide them realistically prior to listing their homes is essential.
If you are ready to sell your home, call us at Beam & Branch Realty. We will come and assess your home and help you prepare to get it sold. We are here to help.
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