CHARLOTTE NC SELLER TIPS - DECLUTTER
Once upon a time, a couple requested that I meet them to discuss listing their family home. We scheduled an appointment and as always, I got my listing presentation together and went in with confidence that I was going to be their listing agent. I've sold two homes on their street which were on the market for very short periods of time, one 5 days and the other 19 days and that was their reason for phoning me. So, a great start to an awesome listing in a great neighborhood!
Not so fast...
When the Charlotte NC sellers opened the door, I was in complete shock! This home looked like a tornado had gone through it. These photos do not do the real condition of this home justice: there was loose trash in the opened dishwasher (filled above the countertops, both bottom and top shelves of the dishwasher), the luxury master bath had craft supplies ALL OVER everything! There was not ONE single clutter-free room in the entire home and barely room to sit down!
I reviewed each room and told them what they needed to do, giving them my list of 'to dos' and told them that their home needs to be cleaned out and to keep in mind that it needs to show like a model home--no ifs ands or buts! This home will not be listed until it is de-cluttered (at least, not by me)!
CHARLOTTE NC SELLERS:
- With our new MLS range, you MUST make your
home look more spacious than you normally would have it looking! Buyers are looking in a particular range and if your home show larger than the other ones that are similar in size, you're one-up on the competition. - You simply must remove clutter and furniture to make your home look open and spacious.
- Just as some buyers can't look at vacant homes and see it with their furnishings, MOST buyers can't SEE a home with clutter and I can promise you that agents won't bring other clients back to see your home after seeing it in this condition.
- PLAIN AND SIMPLY - If it's cluttered, it WON'T sell!
(THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)
Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310
You can't help but laugh when you see things like this. They probably needed to sell so they could move into a larger home to store more stuff. It is hard to lok past the clutter when selling. Good point. I hope they took your advice.
Wow- this might have been a candidate for the TV show.
Bonner
Ahmmmm.... Now, these photos are really on the end of the spectrum, right?
Hi Debe,
It is amazing how some people keep adding to their clutter and don't realize the amount they have accumulated. I walked in before Christmas to a home of an older coupe who have a baby grand in the single living area and their place looks much like this! I'm having them move out completely because they are moving to a retirement home anyway and need to sort through all their treasures! It will take while but by Spring they should be ready! Excellent advice Debe.
Debe, well put and so true, the only buyers I have ever experienced seeing past clutter were investors that were just looking at the structure and not home buyers.
Debe I hope these pictures are not from a couple of your listings:) With the competition for buyers a home that is cluttered like these do not stand much of a chance.
Show me a house that is cluttered with dirty appliances and I'll show you a property with heaing/AC systems that are neglected and on their last leg.
Debe...it's like people have a veil over their eyes when hoarding...I'm with you...Declutter and Homestage to compete for the highest value, even in a sluggish market...Cherise
Great info Debe and I concur with it all! Decluttering takes time, but shouldn't cost a thing and is priceless when it comes to selling
Debe,
This cannot be stressed enough with sellers.... Buyers want a clean, uncluttered house.
Great post (again) ;-)
Ann Hayden in soggy Wildwood, MO
Debe - How in the world did you get a snapshot of my girls bedroom???!!!! LOL Wow, that is really horrible! You should add it to lovely listings
Clutter is probably the hardest thing to convey to a seller. It's their "stuff" and they don't see it as a deterrent to a sale.
Great job pointing out what is typically a touchy subject when listing a home.
Thanks Debe, probably one of the most important aspects of marketing a home. It needs to be pristine and ready for a new buyer! Great post.
Debbie, I was taken to a home that was for sale that looked exactly like this. Thankfully the sellers weren't home and I asked my agent if we could leave because I didn't want to even go in there. Sellers don't realize what a horrible impression this makes because aside from looking neglected and uncared for, the home looks dirty. Hopefully NC and ALL sellers will catch this post!
Debe, were the home owners OK with you taking pictures of their house? What are the chances that they will read your post? Do you think they are capable of cleaning up the place? Do they need to hire someone to do it for them?
What a good post -- you should hand out copies at your listing presentation--people would certainly get the point!
Debe, and of course they wanted top dollar correct?
This is beyond clutter. I would not have believed it without these photos. Amazing.
Andrew: Believe it or not, they're DOWNSIZING! More reason for concern, right?!
Bonner: LOL --You're absolutely correct!
Loreena: I did not have the heart to take any more--it wasn't going to go in MLS anyway!
Dorie: Were you here in Charlotte?!!
Caren: Me too! This house is in a great neighborhood that would have crucified me if I had to price it at an investor's price! So, I chose to walk!
Bill: No, I didn't take it--rather gave major suggestions! And, you're right--no buyer would choose this one over one that was in model-like condition.
Lenn: Excellent point! I think that most buyers overlook that fact and they definitely need to keep these things in mind--that's why we're there to remind them!
Cherise: You're absolutely right! That is what's selling now, not cluttered, bland homes!
Kristin: Think about the price that they'll get after 'cleaning' as opposed to what they would get now!
Ann: That's SO true! I think that many sellers overlook this until it's too late and they have a stagnant listing on their hands--I see it all the time!
Nevin: You crack me up! I hope to goodness they're not this bad--seriously, these photos don't do the clutter justice!
Craig: It is a touchy subject but, we HAVE to let them know (gently if need be!) or we can't sell their homes!
Gabe: EXACTLY! That's what's selling, isn't it?!
Carole: That's so true! And, are you sure you weren't in Charlotte over the holidays?!!
Lottie: Thanks! They were standing there when I snapped the photos and I don't believe they own a computer so, I doubt they'll see this or realize that it's theirs if they do! I really do think that some people think that their 'clutter' is organized and would never realize that THIS is what it truly looks like to outsiders. It's a huge house and they are going to have their children come in and help them go through everything since they're going to be downsizing.
Gerry: HA! We honestly did not get that far--I refused to go over the market analysis or the listing documents with them until they've cleaned the place up and we can actually list it! It could be YEARS!
Gary: If I don't who is, right?!!
Jane: When there are cups and plates on my countertop, I'm upset that they didn't make it to the dishwasher--I can't IMAGINE living like this! I would be a nut job!
That is a nightmare example of clutter, but collections, displays and mementos can also be quickly classifed as "clutter" by most buyers.
Seller beware! Listen to your staging specialist; they will reduce your market time and increase your profit from the sale!
Vic Steele, Broker, Valet Real Estate Services
Where we deliver Silver Platter Service to our
Clients for Life and the people they care about!
Clutter is one thing-filth is another. I agree with Lenn that if someone lives like this they probably did not take care of the systems.
This is great advice for the home seller out there and is a must to attract the top buyer.
Debe, it amazes me that they even let you in the house with it looking like this. Do you think they will heed your suggestions?
Hope you are doing great!
Ann
Debe,
If they would just listen!
Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO
Sometimes I'm most amazed by the condition of a house like this because it is a very direct indicator of how the people are living their lives. It would be so difficult to relax in any of those rooms! At least, for me!
It is shocking to see how some people live....and it comes in all price ranges!! This sounds/looks like something out of that show "The Hoarders"!!
That's beyond clutter, that's borderline hoarding.
Hi Georgina! You're SO right--it IS hoarding! When I see homes like this, it always stays with me and reminds me when I am 'saving' something that I'd be better off if I got rid of it! I could NEVER live like that!
Just read your '10 tips for staging your home' post and clicked the link over to this post - oh my goodness! Any update on these folks? Did they take your de-cluttering advice and call you back?
LOL @Leslie! NO--and still isn't on the market either! I think they'll probably just die in that home. Without serious help, they have no hope of doing this themselves. It's really sad!