Just as some people spend their time scrolling the most recent post on a social media app, recently, I’ve been scrolling the Trulia app for the next home that goes on the market.
I have been window shopping for a few months now; and, remain convinced that there is a perfect house out there. But, thus far, every time I see an interesting property; I find a significant reason why I wouldn’t place an offer.
That said, there are clearly certain things that would make it difficult to ever give a property a nod. The purpose of this post is to help those who may be 24 hours from closing, or brand new to the market, a few tips to ponder before signing on the bottom line. I will discuss deal-breakers for considering a home for purchase. As I wrote, the list grew beyond the initial five, and became more like times two; but, let’s get started:
- THE ADDRESS:
Yes, the street name. Who knew? But, if I see a beautiful place, the next thing I glance at is the street name and number. A house with an address number, i.e. 666…smh…that’s an automatic no. Let’s just move on to the next property. Or, a street named, i.e. Up the Creek….uhm…no. Imagine 666 Up the Creek Lane….smh...ughm…no.
I know that’s a stretch; but, to protect the name of real addresses, really, if you’re having trouble selling your home, it might be as simple, yet huge, as the address being uncanny. It’s certainly something to consider if you’re buying short term, and hope to sell in a couple of years. The street name does matter.
- CARPET:
New or old, few things date a home more than the flooring. Nothing has me deduct from the seller’s asking price more quickly than carpeting. If the carpet is brand new, I instantly envision hiring someone who will consider bartering removal of the new product and calling it his own for FREE.
In today’s market, few things add value to a home more than real wood and quality tiles, preferably Spanish or Italian. Aesthetics go a long way when buying a property. If the carpet has seen its better day, and you’re planning to put your property on the market, you might consider replacing it with real wood, or even faux-wood flooring for aesthetic reasons. Otherwise, be ready for people to chisel at the asking price for this reason.
- A DARK ENTRY WAY:
Yes, smh. A house is a great example of why one should never judge a book by its cover. I have seen numerous houses with a beautiful exterior; and developed landscape (more on that later); but, have poor natural lighting. I am saddened that some people live decades in top-dollar homes which have poor interior lighting. It’s broad daylight, and the house appears to be late evening; lights needed 24/7. If you're renting, you can easily move; but, a house with poor interior lighting is something that stands out; and, oddly, people enhance this affect with dark woods and dark furniture, and worst of all dark flooring.
If you’re planning to resell your property, the lighting, especially foyer lighting, should be something you should take a little time to brighten up with paint or a painting, or installing recessed lighting.
Added to this, a house that has an exterior dark porch, oh dear, that’s a deal breaker. It’s broad daylight and the porch is pitch black. Ughm, no. There's something like an energy portal associated with that, jmho. As the light of the eye reflects the healthy energy of the body, in a strange sense, so the entry way (porch) the healthy energy of a home. (Matthew 6:22)
Now, sometimes homes which have a dark-facing front, on further search, have beautiful natural lighting in the most lived in areas of the home. And, sometimes, it’s an ill-positioned tree that’s blocking the natural light to flow into the home. This is an aesthetic flaw that an arborist can correct in an afternoon.
So, if you can imagine more positive energy light flowing onto the home with trimming, or in drastic cases, replacing the tree, then the house may have potential. So, while poor lighting is a deal breaker, there may be hope if adjustments can be made to bring in the light.
Well, that’s it for the first in a series of posts on this topic. But, for sure, the address, flooring, and dark entry ways are factors which determine whether your property will sell, or easily resell should the day come and you decide to move.
Best regards.
Peace.