What is the most important thing to guarantee a successful property?

Mary Campbell
by Mary Campbell
I need too know what others look for in viewing houses to purchase ! I need to sell and I don't have the cash to finish a couple little cosmetic items for sale of my house ?

  11 answers
  • FL FL on Jul 18, 2017

    Hi Mary! I guess the wisdom is that you want to convey that you have been a good, responsible homeowner who has not allowed small issues to become financial headaches down the road. I think keeping your lawn mowed, weeds pulled, gutters clear and no standing water would be basics that don't cost anything. If you beg, borrow or steal $20 to handle small details that need attention, you would get your money back. For example, fresh light bulbs to lighten up the inside and outside of your home. Making sure your doorbell works. Washing windows and screens. Buying washers to stop sink leaks. Freshening up house numbers and your mailbox. Emphasizing space by getting rid of clutter. You can do this! Good luck!

  • C. D. Scallan C. D. Scallan on Jul 18, 2017

    Clean , clean , clean ! And declutter. No picture frames or personal knick knacks anywhere . They need to be able to see themselves in the house . Not still see it as YOUR home .

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 18, 2017

    Gee, this is a big subject to cover, Mary, but the first thing would be "cleanliness"!!! I have moved many, many times often selling in a matter of days. When I am looking for a new home, it has to be clean and well maintained. What do you mean by "cosmetic items"?? If you are meaning the window frames need painting as the paint is chipped and flaking, I strongly recommend saving up for a can of paint. If you mean a room is painted in too bright a color, that wouldn't disuade me from making an offer as that can be changed but if window frames and garage doors look beat up, a house tends to look shabby and not maintained!! Put away clutter. Clear out clothes you don't wear anymore to make the closets look roomy, if carpets are soiled, spend the money to get them cleaned, have a pot of fresh flowers on the coffee table, REALLY declutter kitchen and bathroom, put away hairbrushes, old washcloths, etc., have a planter of flowers at your front door, cut the grass, weed. There are too many jobs to list here but use commonsense and also take a real critical eye as you walk through your house AND yard. An old suggestion (that I avoid) is to have a scented candle burning or potpourri simmering on the stove. I don't do that ... because if I walked into a house with scented items, I would immediately wonder what are they trying to cover up? Pet spills, perhaps? If you have animals, get them out of the house on the days you have viewings and put away the pet dishes. Perhaps, you have a neighbor or relative that can "petsit" on those days. Good luck!

    • Mary Campbell Mary Campbell on Jul 18, 2017

      I was talking about baseboards , I had all the carpeting replaced upstairs and don't have the new baseboards on , can't afford them as that's the reason for selling do to the economy , is that a big deal ?

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jul 18, 2017

    Curb appeal, neat lawn, plants. The kitchen and bathroom are probably the most important places in the house. Have the floors clean and shiny like they are new. Declutter, sparse is better, take down family pictures. Paint what you can and try to keep it neutral and light and airy.

  • As long as it is sparkling clean, tidy and decluttered. Chat with your estate agent, they may have some no cost suggestions too.

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 18, 2017

    In my opinion, missing baseboards are not a big deal. If I like house that is clean and looks well taken care of, missing baseboards wouldn't stop me from making an offer. Your real estate agent can simply explain that the carpeting is all brand new upstairs but you simply ran out of TIME to install the baseboards. Make sure he/she doesn't say you can't afford it right now as a buyer might suspect you are "desperate" and come in with a really low offer thinking you will jump on it. It's all a cat and mouse game! Good luck on your sale!

  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 18, 2017

    Super clean, no clutter and de-personalize the house so the prospective buyer can visualize their stuff in the house, neutral wall colors, bright, and smells good. Should look well maintained.

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 18, 2017

    hi Mary: I sent you a reply but don't see it here ... yet. Maybe it will appear but in case it doesn't, I said - that if I saw a house I liked that was clean and appeared to be well taken care of, it (the missing baseboards) would NOT be a big deal to me and prevent me from making an offer. Just make sure that your agent (when someone comes to view your house) explains to the other party that the carpets are brand new but the baseboards haven't been installed due to lack of time (and NOT lack of money)!! The reason for this is you don't want any potential buyer thinking you are "desparate" (for money) because if they think you are, they might come in with a very low offer assuming you will accept it (due to lack of funds). It's quite the cat and mouse game and I wish you good luck in selling your home. New carpets is a definite asset!!

  • Elaine Elaine on Jul 19, 2017

    Hi Mary: I have attempted to reply to your additional comment twice now but I still don't see it on Hometalk. I will try a third time and then will have to give up! To answer you, "no" missing baseboards are no big deal (in my opinion). In other words, if I viewed a clean and well-maintained home, missing baseboards would NOT prevent me from making an offer. I hope that answers your question.


    Just make sure your realtor says the missing baseboards are simply due to lack of time on your part and NOT due to lack of money! The subject may not even come up; some viewers may not even notice but I'm just suggesting this in case someone remarks on the lack of baseboards. The reason I'm also suggesting this is that you don't want a potential buyer to think you are "desperate" for money because they might then come in with a very low offer assuming you will accept it if they think you are broke. Instead, have the realtor(s) point out the newly laid carpets and any other improvements you might have made to the house. Good luck with your sale and I hope this Comment appears at your end!!

  • Amanda Amanda on Jul 19, 2017

    When I was looking for a new house the most important thing was it being clean, and any house with a odor especially pet urine was a absolute NO.

  • Janice Janice on Jul 19, 2017

    CURB APPEAL