Searching for a home in Tamaqua? Don't let a wrong perception steer you away from a home you’ll love

Sometimes Tamaqua homebuyers pass up homes that would be perfect for them because clutter or the need for a good cleaning leads them to perceive the condition as poor. Perhaps the carpet is dirty or the furniture is shabby, so they leave without taking a really good look at the house itself.   Somewhere in our subconscious, most of us look at a house that's neat, tidy, and shining clean and believe that it's been well kept. At the same time, we can see a rip in the screen on the storm door or peeling paint on a door frame and subconsciously think "I wonder what else they've let go?"   The same goes for clutter, a dirty carpet, or light fixtures full of bugs. Any of those or similar details can make a buyer think that the homeowner just doesn't take good care of things. That makes them believe that a home inspector will find hidden problems, so they pass the house by rather than pay for an inspection.   It's a shame, because they might be passing up a house that would be perfect for them. Since other buyers have done the same, the price may be reduced, so they might be missing a bargain, all for the price of a visit from a good cleaning service.   Instead of rejecting the house outright, it might be good to ask your agent to find out about the seller’s circumstances. Sometimes there’s a valid reason why the homeowner hasn’t been able to keep up.   It could be an illness that has claimed every bit of time and energy the homeowner might otherwise spend on keeping up the house.   Sometimes it’s a death or divorce that has left one partner a single parent – barely able to cope with being both Mom and Dad to a few children.   It could be a job loss that has put things like renting a carpet shampooer or buying a gallon of paint out of their reach.   The other side of that coin, for buyers, is that they can be fooled into thinking a house is structurally sound if the cleanliness and cosmetics are impressive. Again, sometimes the perception is different from the reality and underneath the new paint and carpet serious problems can be lurking.   That's why home sellers should make every effort to present their home at its very best, and buyers should invest in a home inspection, even if a home appears to be in top condition.   When you want to explore the homes for sale here in Tamaqua or want to learn your home's value in today's market, get in touch. You can reach me at 570-640-8109 or by emailing: edentroxell@yahoo.com.