Never let the Appeal distract from the Real
March 14, 2017
What is appeal? Appeal is something that a home seller should present and that a buyer can acknowledge, but must look past it. Appeal is crucial for the seller to present this, but also can create an emotional attachment for a buyer? These things go hand in hand. I will explain in the article to follow why you want to present your house in the best possible way as a seller. I will then also explain why as a buyer you cannot let that appeal be the driving force behind your decision-making process.
First, let's start with the seller's side of the equation. Sellers, you must, let me repeat that, "MUST" present your house in a way that is appealing to buyers. You must make it look and smell as good as possible every time someone comes to look at it. This is not a suggestion, and as a matter of fact if you are not willing to keep your house clean, smelling good, and staged to appeal to a buyer, then I am probably not the right agent for you. I say this to hopefully shock your thinking.
Every house I list, I have professional photos taken that I pay for. I invest in you, and I make sure your house is marketed in the best ways possible. So, when those photos are taken, and people show up to see it, it must look like what the photos portrayed. If not, then you are just misleading people and your listing will go stale. Once your listing goes stale, the only way to to get activity again, for the most part, is to lower your listing price. And in the market I work in (Nashville) this should be an absolute last resort.
Now for our buyer's side: "BUYER BEWARE". I say this because there are houses out there that simply look amazing. The owners took the time to stage the house so that you would fall in love with it immediately. The appeal is so attractive that you basically shut off all logic and reason and emotions take over. YOU MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!
If you have a good realtor, they will (hopefully) be able to help you keep a level head. But, at the end of the day, the decision to buy falls solely on your shoulders. I promise you that you do not want to ignore all the warning signs for because you get granite, hardwood, and what you think will help you "keep up with the Jones's". If you do, you will be up to your neck in work and unforeseen costs that will add up faster than a school of sharks on a wounded prey.
A couple of things that will keep you grounded are the following:
First and foremost: a good Realtor. I will keep coming back to this because you are not an expert, but they are and they should have your best interests in mind.
Second, have a budget. If you already know what you are willing to spend, you will only be looking at things that are within that price point; painting a reality of what that budget can afford.
Lastly, be willing to walk away! If you do find a house and make an offer that gets accepted, but the home inspection comes back with some pretty major issues that the seller is not willing to fix, then walk away. Don't trade flash for common sense. Just remember, it will have to be fixed eventually, and it will be up to you unless your Realtor is able to negotiate an agreeable resolution on your behalf.
All in all, I hope this article brings a better sense of how to approach listing you home and buying a home. Look forward to more articles and tips to come to make your home-buying, selling, and Realtor experience one that is second to none.