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The Apple Pie House

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Professionals MN Broker #40288835

     Most buyers are looking for a well-maintained house in apple pie order. apple pieThey will be looking to buy as much house as they can get and still leave a little dough for changes to adapt things to their personal taste.  That doesn't mean that they will be looking to dive right into major home improvements, because they won't. The down payment on your home will take most of their savings.  After the monthly mortgage payments, taxes and insurance, there is no room in their budget for major repairs. Many buyers today will not consider a house that needs remodeling and improvements. Those buyers are called flippers and need to buy property as cheaply as possible to make needed repairs and enhancements and still clear a profit. Nothing personal - it is their business.

    Your house will stand a better chance of selling if it has an up-to-date kitchen,  an up-to-date bathroom  and shows the signs of regular maintenance. Inside and outside everything should be in good repair. Fresh paint improves the curb appeal of any house, along with blooming flowers and a nicely cropped green lawn. Cleanliness, both inside and out will make a good impression on the buyer. Clean out the gutters and downspouts, pull out all weeds, put fresh mulch around trees and in flower beds. Pressure wash the sidewalks and siding, if it will stand up to it. Go the distance and the reward will be much greater.

 

    After all who doesn't like homemade apple pie?

Posted by

Welcome from the Brainerd Lakes - where outdoor and indoor recreational opportunites abound. Looking to buy on one of our many lakes? Ready to move up or down?  Having trouble selling your home? 

Call me!

Comments (13)

William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

An updated kitchen fo the ladies and a nice sized organized garage for the men...can't beat the combo!

Oct 26, 2008 10:47 AM
Ginger S
Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

And paint the front door & then slice me a piece of that beautiful looking pie! YUM!

Ginger

Oct 26, 2008 03:26 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Apple pie, home made crust, mmmmmm  My speciality.  And, we hope that's what we provide our sellers too.  Thanks for the cute post.

Oct 26, 2008 05:54 PM
Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Kathleen, accurate picture of the market today.  Buyers want turn key.  The majority are not wanting to tackle the updating projects as you mentioned.  It is surprising how many homes are on market that do not even address the cleanliness & in good repair standard you speak of.  Generally that is only an investment of time and a little work.  All worth the extra effort.

Oct 26, 2008 10:53 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Nice analogy. That is a nice picture. I agree the house sells quickly if it is well maintained.

Oct 27, 2008 12:31 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Wlliam - did I miss the garage -? I was hoping that it was able to be viewed and not filled with boxes and furniture. A nice workbench  and a few tool holders on the wall would definately be a plus for a sale.

Oct 27, 2008 08:44 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Ginger & Roger - I would give you 2 pieces of pie and Bella a treat, if you were here.

Oct 27, 2008 08:49 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Michele - We live in a world that thrives on immediate rewards. People looking to move have other things happening as well and move in ready will get their attention.

Oct 27, 2008 08:54 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Gita - People like to think that their new home has been well maintained all along. If it has not been then work needs to be done before it goes on our flooded market.

Oct 27, 2008 08:57 AM
c m
Colorado Springs, CO

Great analogy!  Nice "wordsmithing!", and VERY TRUE! You are a smart Realtor-to-be, having staging training as well.

Oct 27, 2008 05:35 PM
Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging

What a great post -- I swear I can smell that apple pie  . . .

Featured in the group "Real World Home Staging for Newbies"

 

Oct 28, 2008 04:42 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Cheryl -
thanks , we will see how smart I am - I will blog about it all.

Oct 28, 2008 10:24 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Karen - If you think it smells good, you should taste it.

 

 Maybe we should bake apple pies for all our staged open houses - just like MOM.

Oct 28, 2008 10:26 AM