Perry Beebe
29 May 14
Experienced real estate agents visiting a home for the first time to list the property for sale can generally tell from that first meeting if the home will be ready for an inspection at short notice. A property that is well presented at that first visit will usually look that way at subsequent inspections simply because this is how the home owners live. However, some owners are comfortable living in a shabby property or with muddle around them, so they don’t see the turnoffs that will make their property difficult to sell.
Sellers Sometimes Need to Hear the Truth about Their Properties
At All Residential Real Estate we have had many occasions where we have given the home owners the benefit of our experience and pointed out the things they needed to do to get the best price. Some people simply don’t understand that, unless buyers are looking for a cheap renovator, they won’t pay a market premium for properties that need clearing, painting and major repairs before anyone can move in.
The biggest obstacle agents face when selling real estate is the unrealistic expectations of their clients, the home owners. It is our job to get them the best possible market price at the time and sometimes that means telling them the truth about the state of their property. We try to be as diplomatic as possible and point out the major turnoffs.
Untidy, Cluttered or Just Plain Dirty?
Leaving dirty dishes in the kitchen sink not only looks untidy but it leaves cooking smells free to waft about the house. If the sink is dirty the chances are that the stove top will not have been wiped down or the kitchen floor cleaned. Bench tops need to be free of clutter and wiped over to clear away stains.
The presence of pets in or around the home during inspections detracts from the presentation, especially if there are litter trays and unwashed food bowls around. Toilets must be clean and odour free. This includes keeping old magazines and spare toilet rolls off the floor. Hide them away somewhere and keep the toilet lid closed.
No Bad Smells – Please!
Unpleasant odours seem to attach themselves to the furnishings so it is important to air the house regularly, wash curtains that smell stale and have soft furnishings professionally cleaned. Trying to cover these odours with air fresheners or incense is never successful as buyers rightly see it as an attempt to hide something.
The secret to excellent presentation is simple enough. Cleanliness, lawns mowed and gardens weeded, fences in good repair, beds made before inspections, toys hidden and pets absent all combine to create an excellent first impression. This leaves us free to get the best result for the sellers.