We have all been there and done this. The phrases older or dated home, no curb appeal, paint colors, oh no wallpaper, worn carpet or flooring, weird odors, or even lack of privacy come into your mind. These thoughts may run you away before you even consider the home. But don’t let these discourage you.
The vast majority of homeowners choose to sell their beloved home “as-is,” leaving home buyers a tough time envisioning how the home could truly be “mine.”
Sure, a turn-key home is ideal if you want to move right in without making any changes, but these types of homes can actually be incredible gems that just need a little polishing.
So before passing on that home that could be your perfect home, consider this:
An Older Home
Old isn’t always synonymous with bad. Many older homes that were built years ago have stood the test of time because they were built with quality materials. Don’t always assume that new equals nicer or nothing needs to be done. Some newer homes are affordable because they are not built with quality materials or built cheaply with other finishing products.
Paint Colors
Things that may not be a huge deterrent, in the long run, can
Buyers must ignore the existing paint choices and focus on the room size, windows, doors, and other more permanent features. Paint is an easy and cheap weekend fix that can be accomplished in just a few hours.
Bad Wallpaper
Wallpaper is easily replaced, removed, or covered over in some cases. While wallpaper is not always a quick and easy fix, it can be done by most homeowners.
Out-dated Appliances
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and often, the appliances aren’t going to live up to most buyer’s dreams. The buyer will need to leave some room, maybe a lot in the budget, to replace the existing appliances, and it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
Ugly or worn Carpet
Don’t walk away from a great house just because the flooring is a mess. There are many low-cost options and choices to choose from. Some, like laminate flooring, and you can install it yourself.
Bad Smells
Most of the time, there’s nothing a deep cleaning can’t fix to remediate the smell.
Curb Appeal
If you’re saying “wow” when you first drive up, that’s great, the home most likely has great curb appeal. If not, then you will have to use your imagination to envision the changes to make it your dream home.
Popcorn Ceilings
It’s great at the movies, but not at home. No worries, you can have it all that scrapped off. It might be a little expensive, but again it probably should not be a deal-breaker.
No Privacy
Remember, “hedges make great neighbors,” and so does a fence. So make smart decisions!
