What would turn you off in a house for sale ?

[pyrxtc]

The fact that there's no pictures of the kitchen or the bathrooms is a turn-off. Makes me think that they must be really bad.

You say that everything matches? That doesn't mean a thing. Matching avocado green appliances? Matching cheap metal cabinets? Matching pink toilet, sink and tub?

New appliances and custom built cabinets with wide pine counter tops. Bathrooms have white tub, sink, and toilet.

You have an acre and you have to stay within the original footprint of the house even though you have room to go bigger? That would be a deal killer for me.
Interesting about the permits because I would think a remodel of 100+ year old houses would be the very reason you need permits for a remodel, to make sure it was safe and up to current electrical, plumbing, fire and insulation codes.

I know it must a Northeast thing, but an unfenced yard would be a deal killer too for me.

Not room to go bigger. You can't build over the septic or the leach field. Plus we have a 2 acre minimum for building in the whole town. My house was grand-fathered in so my only rules for remodeling is that you have to stay within the footprint. No permits or inspections required for remodeling unless we are changing the footprint.

Nobody has fences up here, if they do then it's decorative only. An acre is quite small for my area, but there is 50 acres of un-buildable woodlands across the street from me for those who want it that is for sale for hunting and stuff. Septic and well is the norm for the whole area.

 

[sunshinehighway]

It's a great house for kids and my neighbors are awesome. We are moving to Texas, hence the reason we just want out of this house. Can't wait to live in a big city again.

The fireplace is three separate fireplaces that just happen to back up into one another. In one of my pictures, you can see the cover we placed over one. (it is removable) The flu for that one is about 4x6 inches... not even big enough for a candle but it was perfect for the rooms original use.... a birthing room.

Maybe take the cover off? As a buyer I'd be wonder what is being hidden by the cover. It might add more of that old charm to the room. With such an old house, I'd think you are looking for a buyer that isn't afraid of some work if they get those features they aren't going to find in every house.

I know others have mention the living room color being too dark. I agree. Maybe something more like the color in the front entrance.

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

New appliances and custom built cabinets with wide pine counter tops. Bathrooms have white tub, sink, and toilet.



Not room to go bigger. You can't build over the septic or the leach field. Plus we have a 2 acre minimum for building in the whole town. My house was grand-fathered in so my only rules for remodeling is that you have to stay within the footprint. No permits or inspections required for remodeling unless we are changing the footprint.

Nobody has fences up here, if they do then it's decorative only. An acre is quite small for my area, but there is 50 acres of un-buildable woodlands across the street from me for those who want it that is for sale for hunting and stuff. Septic and well is the norm for the whole area.

Why no pictures of the kitchen and baths, then? I still think they must be bad.

"No permits or inspections required" is a red flag for me. That means any idiot with tools can, and probably has, "improved" things.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Why no pictures of the kitchen and baths, then? I still think they must be bad.

"No permits or inspections required" is a red flag for me. That means any idiot with tools can, and probably has, "improved" things.

This^ plus no pictures of the master suite or main living room?!

 

[pyrxtc]

Why no pictures of the kitchen and baths, then? I still think they must be bad.

"No permits or inspections required" is a red flag for me. That means any idiot with tools can, and probably has, "improved" things.

This^ plus no pictures of the master suite or main living room?!

There will be pictures of those in the listing, just don't have any online right now.

That is what a thorough home inspection is for. To check and make sure everything is right and in working order. We took pictures of everything we did and had an electrician in to help us with things like that.

 

[phorsenuf]

Smallest bedroom is 10 x 9.8. Enought for a twin bed and bureau and room to play. We use the 5th bedroom as a sewing room.



Just under 2000 Square feet I believe.

That's a lot of rooms for under 2,000 square feet. The rooms that you call bedrooms, do they all have closets?

 

[tvguy]

Nobody has fences up here, if they do then it's decorative only..

I take it there are no laws regarding dogs and fencing then.

 

[North of Mouse]

I know it must a Northeast thing, but an unfenced yard would be a deal killer too for me.

Had to laugh at this! We've lived in many states with dh's transfers, so have bought/sold lots of homes, and have *never* heard even mentioned that not having a fenced yard would be a *deal breaker* A lot of people have unfenced back yards (front fences never allowed where we've been, would be unsightly anyhow).

 

[North of Mouse]

Why no pictures of the kitchen and baths, then? I still think they must be bad.

"No permits or inspections required" is a red flag for me. That means any idiot with tools can, and probably has, "improved" things.

This^ plus no pictures of the master suite or main living room?!

That's a lot of rooms for under 2,000 square feet. The rooms that you call bedrooms, do they all have closets?

OP. I really admire the patience that you have shown on this thread. You started out asking what everyone would *look* for when buying a home. It seems like it has turned into --- how much can we attack OP on what her house looks like. These are just a few of the last examples.

For a home that is 240 years old, I think it has aged well. No one can expect an *up to date* appearance. I'm very honest, I couldn't deal with an older home that would need lots of care, but I do know there are those out there that are just looking for that type home. My best to you in selling it so you can come down to the sunny, warm south!

Just went back and read your OP. My mistake, I guess you did ask for a certain amount of feedback on what would *not* be appealing in your home. I apologize to these posters. Just seems like some of the posters are a little harsh, but maybe I'm a little sensitive for you. But, in all fairness to them, guess you asked for it to a degree. ;-}

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

OP. I really admire the patience that you have shown on this thread. You started out asking what everyone would *look* for when buying a home. It seems like it has turned into --- how much can we attack OP on what her house looks like. These are just a few of the last examples.

For a home that is 240 years old, I think it has aged well. No one can expect an *up to date* appearance. I'm very honest, I couldn't deal with an older home that would need lots of care, but I do know there are those out there that are just looking for that type home. My best to you in selling it so you can come down to the sunny, warm south!

She DID ask what would turn us off.

I look at houses online a lot, for my daughter. If I saw a house with no pictures of the kitchen, I'd hit the back button. Call it an attack if you want.

 

[phorsenuf]

OP. I really admire the patience that you have shown on this thread. You started out asking what everyone would *look* for when buying a home. It seems like it has turned into --- how much can we attack OP on what her house looks like. These are just a few of the last examples.

For a home that is 240 years old, I think it has aged well. No one can expect an *up to date* appearance. I'm very honest, I couldn't deal with an older home that would need lots of care, but I do know there are those out there that are just looking for that type home. My best to you in selling it so you can come down to the sunny, warm south!

Why did you quote me? I was just asking a simple question about bedroom closets. How is that attacking? I know if I was looking at a house that was 5 bedrooms I would expect them all to have closets. If they don't she may want to consider stating it a different way. So tell me, how is that not helpful advice?

 

[DisneyCrazyMomma]

I think it's a lot in the wording... "those rooms that you call bedrooms.." - a much nicer way would have been to say "Do all the bedrooms have closets?"

I'm not saying you meant it as an attack, just explaining how I read it. Being that we dont' know each other and our personalities are all different, sometimes there is a "gentler" way of saying things.

 

[phorsenuf]

I think it's a lot in the wording... "those rooms that you call bedrooms.." - a much nicer way would have been to say "Do all the bedrooms have closets?"

I'm not saying you meant it as an attack, just explaining how I read it. Being that we dont' know each other and our personalities are all different, sometimes there is a "gentler" way of saying things.

Seriously?

 

[pyrxtc]

That's a lot of rooms for under 2,000 square feet. The rooms that you call bedrooms, do they all have closets? Why did you quote me? I was just asking a simple question about bedroom closets. How is that attacking? I know if I was looking at a house that was 5 bedrooms I would expect them all to have closets. If they don't she may want to consider stating it a different way. So tell me, how is that not helpful advice?

Only one room does not have a closet, that is the guest room off the living room. In my pictures you will see all the closets marked. It does have cabinets and a bureau that will be staying with the house. It is the "post office" room. (Because it was the PO for years.)

I take it there are no laws regarding dogs and fencing then.

There are leash laws but you will find that most people have trained their dogs to stay in the yard or have a lead, as I do, but if your dog is tends to jump or looks scary enough then I find that those owners have some sort of fence but just enough so you know to stay away from the dog. Quite a few of my neighbors have their dogs out without physical restraint throughout the day. Their dogs are friendly. One neighbors dogs gets tied up unless owner is out, like we do.

OP. I really admire the patience that you have shown on this thread. You started out asking what everyone would *look* for when buying a home. It seems like it has turned into --- how much can we attack OP on what her house looks like. These are just a few of the last examples.

For a home that is 240 years old, I think it has aged well. No one can expect an *up to date* appearance. I'm very honest, I couldn't deal with an older home that would need lots of care, but I do know there are those out there that are just looking for that type home. My best to you in selling it so you can come down to the sunny, warm south!

Just went back and read your OP. My mistake, I guess you did ask for a certain amount of feedback on what would *not* be appealing in your home. I apologize to these posters. Just seems like some of the posters are a little harsh, but maybe I'm a little sensitive for you. But, in all fairness to them, guess you asked for it to a degree. ;-}

I did ask for it and am juts trying to answer everyone's questions. Every little bit does help. That closet upstairs definitely needs to be cleaned out, but I knew that and already cleaned it up so it now only has perfectly stacked board games on it. I also know that a lot of people don't appreciate the old houses. It is a New England thing.

I am coming south regardless, my DH leaves in 2 weeks, but would love to not have to pay 2 mortgages.

She DID ask what would turn us off.

I look at houses online a lot, for my daughter. If I saw a house with no pictures of the kitchen, I'd hit the back button. Call it an attack if you want.

Which is why pictures of everything will be in the official listing. I am the same. I look for certain things in the houses I am looking for. 10 yrs of an old house makes us want a house with little maintenance as possible. I don't seem to be having any problems with finding newer houses where I am looking.

My biggest turn off is a fully open floor plan. I have younger kids who make lots of noise and I don't' want/need that traveling through the whole house. My dad has an open floor plan like that and it is way too loud at his house all the time. No walls to keep the TV sound in the room so the volume is always at 35 at least. There are lots of things in the listings I am looking at that I don't understand but will have to wait and see in person before I decide. Actually, I think my biggest turn off is when I specify only listings with a pool and the only pool is the community one. Not what I desire.

 

[ilovemk76]

Where I live a room cannot be called a bedroom if it does not have a closet.

 

[Janepod]

Where I live a room cannot be called a bedroom if it does not have a closet.

Generally not the case in New England -- that's why you see so many bedrooms with armoires. I owned a house in North Salem, NY, that was a three-bedroom from the 1920s and none of the three bedrooms had a closet.

However, to be called a bedroom, a room must have a window. Usually not an issue in the suburbs but you'd be surprised what people try to get away with in NYC.

 

[okeydokey]

Where I live a room cannot be called a bedroom if it does not have a closet.

Yes, I have heard that too. Under 2000 square feet doesn't seem large enough to have all those rooms. I think emptying the house of as much stuff as you can will make it appear to be large when it is not. I think you said 12 or 14 rooms with under 2000 square feet? That listing would not appeal to me as it sounds really claustrophobic. We have just over 2000 feet, 4 bedrooms and 7 rooms in total.

 

[ilovemk76]

Generally not the case in New England -- that's why you see so many bedrooms with armoires. I owned a house in North Salem, NY, that was a three-bedroom from the 1920s and none of the three bedrooms had a closet.

However, to be called a bedroom, a room must have a window. Usually not an issue in the suburbs but you'd be surprised what people try to get away with in NYC.

We have the window rule,but the OP has windows, so not a problem.

We have old homes here, way older than the 1920s and a closet has been added in a corner. Not really hard to do.

Four of her rooms have closets, so the 5th would show up as odd.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Where I live a room cannot be called a bedroom if it does not have a closet.

It's pretty common in New England to have bedrooms without closets in antique homes (and generally in older homes that have them, they were added during a renovation). The key factor is that there must be an egress window, i.e. a window large enough to get a body through.

 

[bellebud]

i know you said you've already done and/or are going to do some of the main suggestions, so forgive me if you've already updated anything I list.

The living room in the picture - the beam running down the wall is a feature I'd love if I were into old houses - make it stand out more. It blends into the wall now. I know you're going to paint the walls in there lighter. Just spruce up that beam as much as you can.

Someone else mentioned the 'birthing room' thing... I agree. That's something a person looking at an old house would love to know! I'd remove the covering on the fireplace and even stick a candle thing in there. Play up it's charm!

The picture of the foyer is beautiful!! The bench there is perfect, the walls are charming! The rest of the house, at least in the photos, don't capture that charm.

You saying you used one of the small rooms as a sewing room stood out to me. I think that's great! Have you played up that potential? A craft/sewing area is a big bonus! Declutter it as much as possible, leave the sewing machine in there, and maybe a couple of crafty organizers, so it's clear the room can be used for that purpose. I'd LOVE that if I were looking for a home.

The outside needs some evergreens in front of the house. Can you buy potted ones now and just place them there, then plant them when the weather warms up? See if you can get them shipped if you have to (look on-line). There's just no curb appeal... I know it's winter, but even in winter, my house in NY has curb appeal because of our evergreens.

Pretty up the front porch. I know it's winter and it's hard to do, but an outside decoration, trellis, large plant vase... something. But make sure it's age appropriate (meaning appropriate 240 years ago).

I realize pictures often don't show many things, but to me, most of the rooms look "old", but not historically old, which is something you need to play up. Can you buy a few historically interesting pieces of small furniture (a chair, an end table), or even knick knacks (old candles, a kitchen utensil, etc). Take down anything and everything modern (except modern conveniences of course).

As everyone else has said, remove all family photos and knick knacks. Maybe purchase linen-ish spreads for the beds (again, something that looks historically old). Throw them on when showing the house.

I know you probably don't want to add any money to show it, but if you just pick a lump sum and think of it as an investment in selling the house quickly, it may be easier to mentally swallow.

Staging, staging, staging... the rooms (except the foyer), don't look staged at all. I think it's a must, because everyone else does it now.

I'd love to see more pics as you move forward with the house. I think you've gotten some wonderful ideas here. Good luck!