Most sellers know that buyers
are attracted to homes that are spotlessly clean, well-maintained and tastefully
decorated. Sometimes the seller can't make the extra effort to prepare the home
for showing. Some of our listings are being sold to settle estates or by someone
who has been transferred unexpectedly and didn't have time to complete the
necessary cosmetic repairs. Homes that need work are often exceptional values.
When a Realtor shows you a house that needs help,
try to imagine how it would look with new carpet, a fresh coat of paint and your
furniture settled inside. Because the condition and overall appeal of a house
have such an impact on the selling price, "fixer-uppers" are often
priced less than comparable homes. If the home is structurally sound and has
updated systems, a small investment of "elbow grease" and paint could
make it look fabulous.
