How can people live so nasty?

[jenks0718]

I went on a listing appointment last night to put a house on the market and it was an adventure to say the least. To begin with, when I walked up to the front door the screen door was missing one of its screens and only one screw was holding the whole thing on. The mailbox must have fell off the house and was propped up against the step. A cute woman answers the door in hospital scrubs and her two equally cute kids were there. She gives me the tour and I was just in shock. Crayons on the walls, wall paper coming off all over the place, stickers stuck all over their hardwood floors, dirty laundry piled in the corner of the bathroom so you cant even open the door all the way, a tub that looks like it hasnt been cleaned or had a fresh caulking in years, tile that is cracked and dirty, a dishwasher thats door is broken and held on by duct tape, cat pee smell everywhere, cabinet doors in the kitchen that are just about holding on.

I was amazed. How do things get this bad? Those poor kids. They probably think its okay to live like that. I took the listing and I told her to see it "as is" and reduce the price. Its a shame. The house had a great layout, but at least 40K in repairs are needed.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I have never understood this either. I would be utterly humiliated to have people in my house if I kept it that way.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

So you are now the listing agent selling the house?

Why wouldn't you give her some advice on what she has to do to pretty the place up? I know my realtor had a whole page of what a home owner should do to get the best price for their house. There was also a list of no-no's. Cat pee smell would be a HUGE no no.

You make a commision based on the selling price, correct? So why 'as is'? Why not work with her, and help her see the mess she lives in. Maybe it is all she has known, herself.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

So you are now the listing agent selling the house?

Why wouldn't you give her some advice on what she has to do to pretty the place up? I know my realtor had a whole page of what a home owner should do to get the best price for their house. There was also a list of no-no's. Cat pee smell would be a HUGE no no.

You make a commision based on the selling price, correct? So why 'as is'? Why not work with her, and help her see the mess she lives in. Maybe it is all she has known, herself.

I agree

We all have bad days.

And not to be sexist--but is it just mom. Perhaps she is unable to do all the repairs herself or can't afford them.

I've been by myself a bit--we have a shelf that broke off in the shower (DD hit it with her head)--the front door needs replacing as it is showing its age, the house needs to be re-stucco'd/repainted, the pool area deck needs pressure washing...and so on and so forth. Hubby is not home--some things I can do and some I can't and I don't have money sitting there to hire a professional to do all the remodeling/repairs. And portions of our fence have been missing since the hurricanes of 2004. I can't install one and the fence gusy have gone through the roof. On the outside--we look like we haev the worst home on the block and we know it. On the inside it is nice though. It used to be the reverse--outside nice and inside not so nice.

Occasionally--my house looks like a wreck. in fact it did just recently. Now it just looks untidy as DD had a slumber party last night, it is laundry day (the hamper runneth over into my bathroom).

Im' sure if you walked into my house right now--you just might come to the same judgement.

Granted--I wouldn't invite a realtor over at the moment as I'm not interested in "as is" pricing. But for some people it is not a choice.

ETA: NO cat pee smell though. Did you call that to her attention. Nature's miracle can do wonders!

 

[chris1gill]

Good luck trying to sell that house You'll have to underprice it by at least a hundred grand... between the actual repairs & the cat pee, which is a real problem IMHO..... you'll have a BIG problem....

 

[olena]

If my house looked like that, I'd want to sell it, too. Then again, I'd probably burn it down before letting anyone else see it.

You probably had a glimpse of what she grew up with and what her children's homes will one day look like.

That's pretty sad though, especially for the children that have no choice in the matter.

 

[jenks0718]

So you are now the listing agent selling the house?

Why wouldn't you give her some advice on what she has to do to pretty the place up? I know my realtor had a whole page of what a home owner should do to get the best price for their house. There was also a list of no-no's. Cat pee smell would be a HUGE no no.

You make a commision based on the selling price, correct? So why 'as is'? Why not work with her, and help her see the mess she lives in. Maybe it is all she has known, herself.

I have something called a "tack" sheet. I go through the house and give the homeowner tips on how each room could be spruced up or repaired to obtain maximum results.

I told her that Walmart sells white paint pretty cheap and it adds life back into the house. I also told her to trim back to bushes in the front walk, re attach the mailbox, and just take the screen door off since it adds no positives to the entry. I told her about renting a steam cleaner from Sears Hardware and trying to get the cat smell out. The list went on and on. Do you know what she told me?

She said that she and her ex husband are in foreclosure at this point and if she doesnt have a contract by April 12th they may padlock the place. She will not put one extra dime into that house because she knows if she doesnt sell it she isnt making a red cent and will need to move her and the kids into an apartment. I am the third agent on this property (one was a reduce commission agent where the house sat for 6 months, and one had a fraudulent listng agreement without both sellers signatures on it). They both priced the house way too high and it scared people off. The sellers can not afford to do the necessary repairs to aquire a c/o so they want the buyer to pay for everything. Thats as "as is" as you get.

If she were willing to put some money into the place or had the time to do it before the bank would foreclose we may be able to add value. But that is not the case here. I try to help my clients, but I can not re program their way of thinking in such a short period of time. I honestly feel really bad for them. From what she was saying, I am the first agent who actually spoke to her like an intelligent and capable human being. I didnt come across like I was judging her and did not "appear" shocked at what I saw (although I was). I just pray I can get her house sold before the foreclosure goes through and they dont get a penny out of the property.

 

[olena]

Hopefully, you live in a hot real estate market, where 'flipping houses' is predominant. This sounds like a candidate for that.

I have something called a "tack" sheet. I go through the house and give the homeowner tips on how each room could be spruced up or repaired to obtain maximum results.

I told her that Walmart sells white paint pretty cheap and it adds life back into the house. I also told her to trim back to bushes in the front walk, re attach the mailbox, and just take the screen door off since it adds no positives to the entry. I told her about renting a steam cleaner from Sears Hardware and trying to get the cat smell out. The list went on and on. Do you know what she told me?

She said that she and her ex husband are in foreclosure at this point and if she doesnt have a contract by April 12th they may padlock the place. She will not put one extra dime into that house because she knows if she doesnt sell it she isnt making a red cent and will need to move her and the kids into an apartment. I am the third agent on this property (one was a reduce commission agent where the house sat for 6 months, and one had a fraudulent listng agreement without both sellers signatures on it). They both priced the house way too high and it scared people off. The sellers can not afford to do the necessary repairs to aquire a c/o so they want the buyer to pay for everything. Thats as "as is" as you get.

If she were willing to put some money into the place or had the time to do it before the bank would foreclose we may be able to add value. But that is not the case here. I try to help my clients, but I can not re program their way of thinking in such a short period of time. I honestly feel really bad for them. From what she was saying, I am the first agent who actually spoke to her like an intelligent and capable human being. I didnt come across like I was judging her and did not "appear" shocked at what I saw (although I was). I just pray I can get her house sold before the foreclosure goes through and they dont get a penny out of the property.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well--if they are in foreclosure--your best bet is to low ball it "as is".

YOu may think it is just some money. But if they can't pay the mortgage--they probably have NO money.

Perhaps make a list of your estimated cost of repairs and have that listed as allowances in the sales arrangement.

A 3 week turnaround though is pretty bad. It ain't going to happen unless it is a really really low listing price.

The other thing I would suggest--do you have any of those "avoid foreclosure, we pay cash for houses in any condition". That may work best for her if they can get at least enough to cover their payoff amount.

 

[jenks0718]

I agree

We all have bad days.

And not to be sexist--but is it just mom. Perhaps she is unable to do all the repairs herself or can't afford them.

I've been by myself a bit--we have a shelf that broke off in the shower (DD hit it with her head)--the front door needs replacing as it is showing its age, the house needs to be re-stucco'd/repainted, the pool area deck needs pressure washing...and so on and so forth. Hubby is not home--some things I can do and some I can't and I don't have money sitting there to hire a professional to do all the remodeling/repairs. And portions of our fence have been missing since the hurricanes of 2004. I can't install one and the fence gusy have gone through the roof. On the outside--we look like we haev the worst home on the block and we know it. On the inside it is nice though. It used to be the reverse--outside nice and inside not so nice.

Occasionally--my house looks like a wreck. in fact it did just recently. Now it just looks untidy as DD had a slumber party last night, it is laundry day (the hamper runneth over into my bathroom).

Im' sure if you walked into my house right now--you just might come to the same judgement.

Granted--I wouldn't invite a realtor over at the moment as I'm not interested in "as is" pricing. But for some people it is not a choice.

ETA: NO cat pee smell though. Did you call that to her attention. Nature's miracle can do wonders!

Thanks for the advice on the Natures Miracle. Can I pick that up at Petsmart? I may just buy some and take it to her. If it helps that smell I will try anything.

 

[Alice Sr.]

The house the OP mentioned is not just a messie house that someone can make presentable with a little elbow grease. I know what she is talking about and it takes professionals to go in and about gut it. There are probably other issues going on with the owners other than just being busy or unorganized, (or lazy), like a form of mental illness, alcoholism, drugs, etc. that prevent the owners from keeping things together 100%. To expect them to try and make the house presentable by normal standards is a pipe dream. OP you did the right thing IMHO.

 

[Stacerita]

People who let their homes get this "nasty" sometimes dont even realize that is is "nasty". Its proabably how they grew up and they know no different. When I was young my mother worked for the county in a program that worked with abused and neglected children. It was a pilot program so how things were run were very relaxed so I went on house calls with her. I remember one family who the kids were well taken care of and not abused in the traditonal sense of the word, but their home was beyond "nasty". The mom grew up in a "nasty" home, and so did the grandmother. They knew no different, so with the kids they were trying to break the cycle. And when I say beyond nasty it was horrible. Cat pee had nothing on them. I saw dog poop in more than one place at that home, piles of junk everywhere. Trash over flowing he cans. I refused to use the bathroom because what I saw in there. I was horrified. Yet, no one in the family knew is was "nasty".

 

[tekmom]

There is no excuse to be that nasty. I grew up very poor, but our house was always clean. Whoever said that it can be a cycle is correct. I know someone who grew up in deplorable conditions and her house is always beyond dirty. She could certainly clean it. My grandmother always said...'elbow grease doesn't cost a thing'.

 

[sweet angel]

Nature's Miracle will not help if the cat pee has soaked through the carpeting and padding and into the wood below.

The carpet will have to be pulled up and taken out.

 

[Stacerita]

There is no excuse to be that nasty. I grew up very poor, but our house was always clean.

Poor doesn't mean dirty. I know people who are very poor, well below poverty line, but their floors are clean enough to eat off of.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I feel for her. How nice of you for talking to her like she is a real person and how sad that others haven't. Nobody deseves that, just because of their living conditions. Hopefully somebody will see the house as a good investment and fixer-upper and will take it off her hands. My sister did that with a house recently and is really working hard (totally be herself) to fix a house up in a depressed area.

 

[Hootiss]

Sounds perfect to me. This is just the kind of house I look for. Trust me there are plenty of people that will jump on a house in that condition. I am sure your co-workers or fellow realtors have a list of people to call when something like this comes on the market. I think you would be suprised how many people live like this. I have seen more homes in deplorable conditions then clean.... and I have been in many many many homes.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thanks for the advice on the Natures Miracle. Can I pick that up at Petsmart? I may just buy some and take it to her. If it helps that smell I will try anything.

Yes--it is expensive though. and she would have to know where the cat peed.

My cat peed on my recliner. To a casual observer that is disgusting and how can I let him. But his medical history is urinary problems when he has fish--and symptom #1--is when he pees there.

Now you cannot tell that a cat used my recliner ever. Now granted--I had to use a BUNCH of nature's mircale on it...but it got every last bit of urine out of there as it has enzymes that break down the urine and neutralize the odor.

It MUST be used before other chemicals or it probably will not work. And it has to dry completely (the smell will not be gone right away---if it is wet..it is working on it).

So before she steam cleans--she should use it in known areas. And not steam clean for a day or two until it is completely dry (and the urine smell is gone).

ETA: I agree with another poster--if it is down to the wood, nothing you can do. And if hard wood floors are beneath the carpet--they will have to be stripped and refinished.


I would suggest---figuring out the sales price of the home without the repairs--and either offer an allowance.....or just cut the price by $40K. As long as her balance can be paid off---she should be happy to at least break even after your commission is paid.

Is that possible?

 

[mytwotinks]

My dh is a paramedic and sees the inside of people's houses when they weren't expecting "guests". Whenever I say "oh gross our house is such a mess" he just tells me that I have no idea what messy is. Whe get pretty cluttered from time to time, but he says that what he sees is just disgusting! Some people don't know better and some people just don't care.

 

[SillyMe]

I'm just wondering if she had someone to help her clean up a bit and paint, maybe she'd be willing to give it a try. She may be overwhelmed going through a divorce, raising her kids, going through foreclosure. Maybe she needs someone to come in and help her and give her a boost in confidence.