Glaring Flaws

In the past, consumers rode the wings of their soaring home equity line of credit. Small ticket repair items seemed unimportant, doable. While big ticket items, such as a roof or siding repairs, stung temporarily, most gambled on their golden ticket of inflated home values to buffer or augment these glaring flaws or more plainly to justify their vanity.

Today, it would seem suicidal to take such a risk. Consumers are looking to have better energy efficient homes, i.e. newer double pane windows, gas stoves and not Barbie fireplaces. They are looking to have minimal repairs. Big ticket repair items will become glaring flaws and the small ticket items the final tipping point. Only to leave the seller minimal protection to shield their profit from the onslaught lists of imperfections. Sellers who once thrived as kings of the hill have become subservient to tight wad buyers or become victims to opportunistic peronas.

What are today's buyers looking for in a house?

• A Clean house, a home well cared for
• Newer Roof, less than 10 years
• No problematic sidings, i.e. Land Pacific (LP) siding (composed of wood scraps and resins & glue)
• Well serviced heaters and furnace
• Newer furnace
• Newer windows, less than 7 years
• New paint
• Newer appliances
• Wood floors, good hypoallergenic environment selling point
• Great lighting, better when it is natural lighting, especially in the Pacific Northwest
• Better insulation, not always thought of but highly recommended
• No moisture damage = no mold problems
• Remodeled, open & spacious kitchen
• Contemporary, classical floor plans with good flow and/or a great room style
• Consistency in the remodels
• Fresh scent, no harsh odors

What should sellers do before marketing their house? Increase the preceived values.

• Manage the Clutter
• Clean the house from top to bottom
• Get a thorough home inspection
• Prioritize the list of repairs
• Work on one room or one area at a time
• Follow the list of repairs that will give the house a face lift, repairs that communicates to buyers the house was well cared for and loved, i.e. new paint, fix leaky faucet, freshen up old dingy grout
• Keep within your budget
• Be consistent in the remodel theme, i.e. avoid mix eras
• Avoid over remodeling, i.e. a Waterford chandelier versus a good quality chandelier
• Keep paperwork & receipts on large ticket repair items, especially when they carry a warranty or guarantee
• Tidy the yard and garden space
• Get rid of house odors, invite an independent and outside nose to take a whiff
• Don't know what else to do? Try visiting open houses for inspirations, see your house from a buyer's perspective and get off the "My house is better than" attitude.