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.
If you both read my *complete* post, I *did* apologize* to both of you.
bellebud said: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!
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*
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!
