Have you ever looked at your house from a child's view? I have a two year old, and we play on the floor a lot. Much of the time, I get to walk around on my knees as we play. We also play in the bath tub, and you can't forget about the potty training...
What does this have to do with real estate? Simple, get down to the level of a toddler before you put your house on the market.
Every night I give my daughter a bath, I see that the painters forgot to paint under all three of the window sills. Do most people see this? No, probably not, but this should still be painted as it helps seal the wood.
The multiple times a day we run to the bathroom to sit on the "Good Girl Potty", I've had the opportunity to see that our pedestal sink in the half bath is missing some caulk where the sink and the pedestal meet as well as where the plumbing meets the wall.
In the kitchen, where two sets of cabinets meet together at a corner, the wall is not painted because you're not supposed to look under the cabinets, but when your daughter likes to sit on the counters while you cook...
We also noticed chips at the bottom of the fireplace in which they've already come and given us a brand new fireplace and did a faux paint.
Basically, don't just look at the surface when cleaning your house and getting it ready for the market. Get down on the ground, and look at things from all different angles. You'll see things from a completely different perspective.
If you're thinking about putting your house on the market and need an opinion on price, as well as an unbiased look at your house, please contact me today so we can discuss your options.
**Are You Packed Yet?**
Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.
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Copyright© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Look at Your House from All Possible Angles * was first published on donnahomesblog.com
Good points, Donna!
Hi Donna... all of these examples fall into the "attention to details" category. It's a huge annoyancew when I find these kinds of things. Based on your builder experience, somehow I suspect that you are not surprised!
Donna
Little details make a big difference in selling a property.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Definitely agree as my 4 year old likes to point out the flaws all the time just because he is curious to know why things are different. He once noticed that he could see through the wall where the electrical conduit came into my sister-in-laws brand new house from the outside. He simply asked why he could see the grass through the wall.
Hi, Donna. Interesting perspective! (get it?) Anyway, I take your advice in a different way as well. If your listing is targeted to families make something about the listing stand out for the kids, too!
The small stuff can make or cost you a bundle!
Your fan from Washington State!
Paul
There's nothing quite like looking around on your hands and knees to help you see the stuff you don't see every day.
Hi Donna ~ I sometimes think of doing this to see how my cat Champ sees the world. It just cracks me up that his world view is a foot of the floor. Amazing what you'll find, huh?!
Liz
Donna, THANK YOU... I am SO RELIEVED it's not just me! And what about cleaning people? It would seem to me they would figure out the one place they should really focus on being spotless is behind the bathroom door. Once it closes, what else do you have to look at, for goodness sake??
Bend those knees!!!
It works! When I started my home inspection business back in October 2001, I read a post somewhere about how a different viewing angle can help one see lots of things that might ordinarily be missed. Lying on one's back and looking up at the stars (the ceiling) can help you find those cracks and moisture stains.
We have a few of those places in our house. Those little things that need attention.
Megan, THanks!
Steve, I'm more surprised that they completely replaced our interior garage door, frame, and jam... but installed a USED door with so many dings in it! Yes, a USED door!! I'm balistic!!
Lou, They all add up to one big detail!
James, I had to laugh! Seeing the grass through the wall is pretty funny!
Jill, Makes perfect sense!
Paul, Exactly!
Barb, No joke!
Liz, Yes, very much so!
Ruth, Too funny!
Loreena, I have shin splints, and they hurt!
Russel, I walk around looking up, and clients ask me all the time why I'm constantly looking up... there are reasons as I've had several walk throughs where something was wrong with the ceiling!
John, But were they done corrently in the first place?
Donna
This is great advise! Often I use my camera to look in odd areas that are hard to see and it is amazing what I find, If we don't do this the inspector might later as they like to look at the odd places.
Hi Donna! Great advice! My hubby and I have been asked by many friends when they build a home to go with them on the walk-through--my hubby is not a REALTOR but, he IS in a wheelchair. He catches EVERYthing that I would normally miss and it's because of his perspective! Since I have learned that and am with clients who don't know Ray, I always try to wear pants on the day of the walk-through so I can do just that--squat and look up! (My knees are getting a bit old to do it like I used to be able to though!!)
Have a great Thursday...
Too funny. I confess that during my "floor time" playing with my three year old I spend the time thinking about how I am going to get up. The spoils of a "Later in life" child!
Good advice! Nothing like viewing things "through the eyes of a child!"