Boo!
Halloween is this Thursday October 31st. Are you dressing up in costume, handing out candy, watching Halloween movie marathons, or skipping the tricks + treats this year?
In honor of this spooky season, we made a list of what scares home buyers more than skeleton and cobweb decorations on the front porch.
Purchasing a home is typically the largest financial purchase of your life. It feels pretty scary to commit to a 30 year mortgage, and wire thousands of dollars of your hard-earned money in earnest money deposits and down payments.
But what are some things about homes that scare home buyers?
Here are 5 things that can scare away Home Buyers:
1. Repairs – If a buyer walks into the property and sees broken doors and cabinets, older screens, and peeling paint, then the dollar signs start dancing across a buyer’s eyes. Home repairs can be costly, but it is not simply the money that can intimidate buyers. You can open up the proverbial “can of worms” when you open up a wall in a home repair. Many first time buyers would prefer a turnkey home, ready to move-in.
2. Smells – Nobody wants a mystery smell to greet them in the kitchen, bathroom, or closet. Smells could be from old food, trash, mold, pets, or something else, but it certainly doesn’t instill confidence in a prospective buyer!
3. Popcorn Ceilings – The popcorn ceilings of the 1970s and 1980s are now being scraped, which usually means some extra money allocated for their safe and thorough removal. Popcorn ceilings can also be a telltale sign that other things in the house haven’t been updated.
4. Dirt, Dust, and Grime – Was the toilet last scrubbed in 1995? Is there grime on the appliances and between floor boards? Home buyers can be deterred by properties that require a deep cleaning. Either they have to pull up their work gloves or hire someone to clean up.
5. Outdated Wallpaper, Carpet, and Wood Paneling – Certain outdated features are tough to disguise with more modern furnishings. Wallpaper, shag carpet, and dark wood paneling on walls can reduce the appeal of a listing.
If we are honest with ourselves, then we would all admit that real estate transactions can be scary!
As homeowners, you might be nervous that your home will sit on the market for weeks before selling or that a buyer might submit a long list of requested repairs once you are in escrow. Our office has sold pristine listings and houses in very distressed condition. Whether your home is brand new, dilapidated, or just needs some TLC, we can help.
As real estate agents, we hold our fiduciary responsibility with seriousness and honor. We carry the responsibilities of loyalty, honesty, and care in all my interactions with my clients. This is where our role as your real estate agent comes in.
What are 4 ways we make a real estate transaction less scary?
1. We answer the phone
2. We listen to you
3. We draw from the experience and support in our office with our broker, marketing team, and risk mitigation to get you the answers and red carpet experience from beginning to end
4. We am your advocate
Home buying and home selling doesn’t have to be scary. Let us help you. Call, text, or message us anytime on Facebook or Instagram!
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