Suprising feedback
I was at a very busy open house over the weekend and was really suprised by some of the feedback that I was getting whilst I was there. Of course I realise that not everyone is going to like every house they walk into, the old phrase "horses for courses" springs to mind. Having said that its eye opening to me that some people overlook the opportunities that are presented to them to make easy money in the real estate business.
This house was listed below what most houses were selling in that area (a very popular location) and had not been revovated for some years. However it was on a larger corner lot with LOTS of potential, which anyone with a keen eye could see.
One couple in particular were really suprising to me. After exchange pleasantries and asking a few basic questions to see what they were looking for they told me they were looking for a "fixer upper" a house they could renovate and increase the value of easily.
This seemed to be the perfect house for them. Its exactly what this house needed and should have been of great interest to them.
Instead I was very suprised to hear the lady start to make remarks that she thought the house was "a dump", that it "smelt" and that it should be "torn down" (which it certainly didn't).
I thought that maybe she was overlooking some of the reall potential this house would offer the new buyer so I started to talk to them again to get a little more feedback. She again told me they were looking for a "fixer upper" and that they had been looking for many months. I gave her my professional opinion on the home and that if thats what they were looking for this home would probably offer them a great return on their investment.
It was very clear from her reaction that she thought I was a madman and that I didn't know what I was talking about.
The reason I bring this up is that most people walked in and immeadietly saw the great potential the home offered and that for a modest budget the home would increase in vaule greatly. Anyone who put some time in to the kitchen, bathrooms, painted and removed the old carpet and buffed the real hardwood floor underneath would probably increase the value by a minumum of $75,000, probably less than a third of their investment.
My tip of the week, don't bring judgement, bring an open mind and soloutions.
Oh by the way after receiving multiple offers we sold the house that day, over asking.