That sounds pretty wild, doesn’t it? And yet, some Tamaqua sellers “pay” that much for such items when selling their homes.
We could include $10,000 cat litter boxes and $200 light bulbs, because they’re all the same.
Today’s Tamaqua home buyers seem to see homes in one of two categories:
- Move-in ready
- Fixer-upper
They’re willing to pay top prices for a house that’s move-in ready, and they want a bargain on a fixer.
As they tour, they begin mentally deducting for items that aren’t up to par – like a cracked or discolored switch-plate, a dirty toilet, a smelly cat litter box, or a burned-out light bulb. They’re thinking about what it might cost them to deal with those problems, and of course they’re multiplying that cost.
They’re also thinking things like “If these sellers don’t clean the toilet, what other dirt or fungus might be lurking in hidden spots?” And… “That litter box smells awful – will the smell leave when it does, or is it in the walls and carpets?” As for burned out light bulbs – they’re apt to wonder: “Is that a faulty light fixture?”
And it’s not just buyers who are affected. Some appraisers openly admit that they knock down the appraised value if a house is dirty.
This is why agents stress the importance of getting a house sparkling clean and handling repair and maintenance issues before it goes on the market. Start in one room and look at everything with a critical eye. Look up and look down. You might be amazed at how many people clean everything at eye level and forget about removing the dead bugs from a light fixture and cleaning the ceiling fan that’s decorated with hanging dust-bunnies.
When you’ve finished with all the rooms in the house, go outside and use the same critical eye. Remember that your yard and your front door are the first things visitors see – so they form the first impression.
Getting top dollar for your Tamaqua home takes a little effort – but isn’t it worth it to avoid spending thousands on the things you didn’t do?
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