\n<\/p>\n
Instead of shopping for your dream home, why not search out your dream discount?
\n
\n<\/p>\n
First-time buyers can be distracted by the superficial. They can be enticed to pay for dream-home fantasies or, alternatively, encouraged to walk away from a hidden gem\u2014a visual disaster.
\n
\n<\/p>\n
Visual disaster<\/i> is my label for a solid, well-located home that is structurally-sound and in relatively-good condition, but\u2014and it’s a big but\u2014it looks (and possibly smells) awful\u2014 but sells at a significant discount.
\n
\n<\/p>\n
Smart sellers and their real estate<\/a> professionals know the magic of fresh paint, the allure of professionally-staged interiors, and the appeal of cosmetic make-overs.
A few thousand dollars worth of touch-ups and problem solving by sellers, can convert into tens of thousands more paid by buyers. Great for sellers, but is this really how you want to spend your hard-earned dollars?
Buyers who would prefer to invest<\/a> their money in the best possible location and a solid, sound structure\u2014not superficial trimmings and flash done to someone else’s taste and standards\u2014may benefit from shopping for a visual disaster.
Caution: Thorough home inspection<\/a>, ideally by a structural engineer, is essential to verify the home is structurally sound without any super-expensive repair necessary. Search out a reputable, skilled inspection firm before<\/i> you start looking at properties. Other experienced “eyes”&mdesign;contractors, designers, renovation-experienced property owners, your real estate professional\u2014will also be helpful when viewing visual disasters.
Tasteless decor, scary color schemes, extreme pet-smells, overwhelming clutter…these are just a few ugly turnoffs that discourage buyers. For savvy home buyers these negatives may signal hidden value and money-saving opportunity.
A house, townhome, or condominium unit that does not look like something out of a magazine\u2014has not had the benefit of professional repainting, staging, or cosmetic overhaul\u2014will sell for less…in some markets, considerably less. These properties may also take longer to sell, so there can be more room for negotiation.
Buyers who are ready to contribute “sweat equity” to their purchase can end up thousands and thousands of dollars ahead.<\/b> “Sweat equity” involves getting your hands dirty to uncover “good bones” and hidden
value, paying a professional to do the necessary design or physical work, or a combination of both approaches.
Depending on what the superficial “disaster” problems are, buyers have choices once they become owners:
Here are a few common visual disasters to keep an eye out for:<\/b>
Talk to your real estate professional, friends, family, and local contractors to get a feel for what may work in your area. Collect a few ballpark quotes for painting<\/a>, cleaning, and other possible undertakings to get an accurate feel for costs before you start looking at properties. Pull together a team of experienced people you can call on for knowledgeable input, so you’ll be ready when a possible “visual disaster” appears.
Do your homework and you can turn a visual disaster into your dream home at a great price!\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Realtytimes <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n