Four Granny Factors that Slow House Sales
Realtors know what the Granny Factor is. Buyers know it to see it. The Seller cannot see a problem. The Granny Factor is anything that says it was purchased in the 1960s or earlier and has not been updated. Why did the owner not update? Because good money was spent on perfectly good things. What are these things? Let me throw out some ideas:
1. The fuzzy bath mat, toilet tank cover and matching toilet lid cover. Subject of a previous post and here is what one persons decided was a better use for the bath mat….
2. Lace curtains (unless you live in Ireland).
3. Doilies. I bet you thought they have all been tossed but not so.
4. Outdated Appliances. Yes, those avocado green appliances are alive and well and living at granny’s.
Photo credit: Welcome Bath Mat?
Photo credit: Lace Curtains
Photo credit: Swan Doily
Photo credit: Husqvarna green stove
Dead is so yesterday
Buyers talk about finding ‘the’ house, about a feeling when they are in some homes and sometimes they talk about karma. What they are really saying is that the home appeals to all of their senses, If you are putting your house on the market, look around your home for anything dead in the house and either toss it or pack it away for your next home. What should you take away?
- Stuffed animals and fish. Some basements are a museum to the owner’s hunting and fishing exploits.
- Skins. You might be surprised how many people have animal skins hanging on the wall or on the floor. Why alienate animal activist Buyers?
- Dried flowers and dried flower wreaths. You may have saved your wedding bouquet but that was then and this is now. Put the flowers away. Use fresh flowers, fruit and beautiful green leaves. Yes artificial flowers and trees last longer than real but they also say dead and dusty.
- Dead spiders and spider webs. If the spiders are not dead try a catch and release to the great outdoors. Think – NO BUGS!
- Don’t serve the dog a big knuckle bone during the sale. Either it is on the kitchen floor and looks yukky or it is out in the yard and makes Buyers wonder what has been killed.
- Urns with the ashes of deceased pets or family members. Yes, you have put the urn in a place of respect because of your love for the deceased. You may have even staged a little corner with flowers and photos with the urn. However, during the sale, it is best to move the shrine and urn to a new far less visible location.
- Finally, and most important during the fall and winter, check your mouse traps before every showing. You might go years without a mouse and then, just when you have a For Sale sign on the front lawn, the mice move in. Think – NO TRAPPED MICE.
Make your house overflow with life and vitality.
Photo credit: Hearst Castle – Stuffed Owl
I poured Spot Remover on my dog. Now he is gone.
Feather your nest
When you are selling your home, Buyers need to find every room as perfect as you, the Seller, can make it. Sometimes a room just needs a little punch of colour and/or texture to make it attractive. Paint is the cheapest way to get the biggest impact – but work is involved. The next way is through accessories.
Buy some toss cushions. Target / Winners/ Homesense / TJ Maxx stores have great pillow selections. Watch for the sales as some can be dirt cheap. These will freshen up the living, family and bedrooms. Here are a couple of hints:
- If your dog sleeps on the sofa, you might want to put out the pillows only when there is a scheduled showing of your home.
- If you have a Sectional or sofa that came with matching toss cushions, change them up. Maybe keep one or two but get others in contrasting patterns, colours and textures.
- Remember that a touch of red in a room grounds it so the cushion may be the best way to bring in red and then add a red gerbera daisy in a vase – voila. Feng Shui.
- Don’t forget the patio and sunroom. Those big chairs cry out for some cushions. Look for sun protected fabric and, if outdoors, something that repels water.
- Finally, I just learned a new trick for those people with limited space – keep the pillow fill from only one set of cushions (those down pillows cost a kazillion dollars so make sure those are the ones you save) and save the zippered / buttoned / fold-over exterior in the colours and styles you like. Make sure that all the covers fit the fill interior you plan to save. Give the fresh pillow fills away. Sewers can have fun making different pillow covers for the seasons.
When it comes to staging and decorating……
Lay down your weary head.
Just fence me in.
 Unlike the Lone Ranger, free to roam with Silver across everyone’s property, your city yard is improved with a good fence. It will keep the dog in the yard and your kids out of the neighbours’ yards. Make sure your fence is in good shape before putting your house on the market. If you don’t have a fence, you might want to look into putting up a fence before putting up a For Sale sign.
Good fences make good neighbours and a good sale. Photo credit: Good fences |
The Palace of Versailles’s Hall of Mirrors
Unless you are living at the palace, having a wall of mirrors in your home ages the decor. Do you have mirror glued to the wall? A passé decorator choice was mottled mirrors. Now they just look like a Buyer’s nightmare.
Buyers will look at a wall of mirrors or a bathroom with glued on mirrors and see big bucks and danger to remove them. If you have the time and patience, you can remove the mirrored yourself before putting the house on the market. You are going to need some supplies (tarp, tape, goggles, gloves and a metal ruler/crow bar) and time. Check the Internet for detailed instructions.
Once removed, patch the wall. There will be some damage no matter how careful you are. Take you time. There is going to be a nice return on your investment.
Mirror Mirror off the Wall, Make my house the fairest of them all.
Photo credit: IMG_9162
Pass the salt, please
Winter is just starting. For most of Canada, the northern US and poor poor Colorado, this means treacherous walking and driving season. Ice will form on the sidewalks and front stairs and along the railings and banisters. If you are selling your home, I know you don’t want prospective Buyers to harm themselves on your property. Just a couple of tips may help.
- Start by shoveling the snow. I know this just makes common sense but as an agent I cannot tell you the number of homes I have visited where the snow is deep on the sidewalk and getting to the front door is work. If you are leaving your home vacant or on vacation, get someone to shovel the sidewalks. Nothing says “Steal from me.” like a snow covered sidewalk with no footprints.
- Don’t shovel to the very edge of a snow bank. Sometimes the only grip is on that little bit of snow you left of the edges.
- Make sure that you salt your walkways and stairs before showings. If you want, use kitty litter as an alternative to sidewalk salt. Some people say lawn fertilizer will work and then have an added benefit in the spring. Find a product that works for your area’s weather conditions.
- Sand is a way to add grip to the sidewalk. I know you are worried about all the sand coming into your home but leave a sign inside the door asking people to take off their shoes and boots. Get familiar with Mr. Vacuum. He may become one of your best selling buddies.
Imagine a real buyer trying to sign an offer with his arms in casts from slipping and falling on your property. Okay, just imagine him wanting it submit and offer after that horrific accident. Imagine your insurance company canceling your insurance from the number of claims. Makes shoveling and salting look attractive, doesn’t it?
When it comes to winter and selling, throw some salt over your left shoulder and onto the sidewalk.
Photo credit: Austin shoveling snow
Lookie Loos
Lookie Loos are often Sunday house shoppers. They are people who go out to see what their neighbours have in their homes. Some Sellers will not have Open Houses because they know the neighbourhood “Loos”. I say, “Bring them on”. Lookie Loos may have friends and relatives who would appreciate the advanced work and will not be…….
Window Shoppers
Fixtures and furnishings
You may want to strip everything from your house that is not nailed down. If you are asking premium price, Buyers will know it. Getting your price while keeping all of the appliances, light fixtures, drapes, tracks and garden shed is not a successful strategy.
Make your sale by leaving things – On The House.
Two peas in a pod
Have you rented a pod to fill up with your clutter & stuff while your house is on the market? Please do not leave that pod on your driveway when the For Sale sign is posted. It is an eye sore. Potential Buyers and your neighbours will be put off. Have the pod removed to storage while you wait for the Sold sign.
Store until your sale is in the bag.
Blue Boy and Pinky
Nothing says “Grandma lives here” more than the needlepoint pictures of the Blue Boy and Pinky. You may have inherited these pictures. They are dear to your heart. To a Buyer they just say – old, tired and dusty. Any old pictures, needlepoint or paint by number, that were completed 40 – 75 years ago need to stored before your house is on the market.
Let Blue Boy have his day in hallways at the “home”.
Welcome
My name is Valerie Zinger. I am a Realtor in Ottawa. I look forward to listing your property or helping you find your home.
Phone: 613-859-7759 Click here to contact Valerie by Email at:
OrganiZinger@gmail.com-
