Looking At Houses on Line. If you are selling your house.

[DawnCt1]

Thoughts from a potential buyer.I have been looking at houses on line. The typical center entry colonial has a 2 story foyer, a cathedral ceilinged family room, dining room, living room, etc.
The first place I look is the kitchen. I have seen some nice kitchens with some absolutely terrible wallpaper. I know that wallpaper can be removed but when given a choice of moving into a house with wallpaper and no wallpaper, I am drawn the house with no wallpaper....anywhere. I stripped two bathrooms this winter and I don't want to think about it again.
Paint. I know that red is big right now and no doubt it looks fine with "their" furniture. With my furniture? Nope. I envision 5 coats of a neutral paint to cover it up. One house had beautiful windows, nice view, lovely cathedral ceilings. Why did they paint it salmon pink? It was pinkish orange or orangish pink, hard to tell. Again, I see a huge expense just covering it up. Another color that isn't doing it for me? A family room painted green; the color of dark, mash canned peas.
The other issue? Clutter. Pots and pans hanging over a center island may look great if you are standing in the kitchen. On a little pix on the internet, it looks cluttery. Stuff on the top of cabinets that don't have a soffit. Counters with lots of stuff. It makes it look like there is a shortage of storage space.
I am sure that in person, many of these houses look so much nicer. The problem is, I am not as motivated to see them as I am one that is easier to redecorate or is neutral in colors. Its been a good exercise looking on line because as a result I have packed away boxes of books, put away extra stuff, etc. I am not ready to show my house yet, but I don't want to have to prepare overnight.

 

[MM27]

I've been looking too and paint and wallpaper don't really bother me, but I don't understand why anyone would have pictures taken with clutter.

 

[Silent1CB]

We had been in a bidding war over a house. I was actually a little relieved when we didn't win. Every room had wallpaper that wasn't our style. I'm so done removing wallpaper or borders. Never again.

We don't like painting either, but at least its easier, and we don't need to redo it for a very very very long time.

 

[golfgal]

Paint colors don't bother me because I will paint over it anyway to pick the colors I want. Wallpaper-I have stripped more wallpaper then I ever care to again so I agree with you on that. Keep in mind that some of the colors might not come off the same on the internet as they do in person-poor lighting when the picture was taken, different color settings on your monitor, etc.

One thing that kills me is people that take pictures of dirty rooms, clutter is one thing, but dishes in the kitchen sink for a photo to go on the MLS???

 

[Buckalew11]

Personally, I wouldn't even look at a house with wallpaper. I am so over stripping wallpaper, I said never again. And I mean it.

 

[teacups]

Personally, I wouldn't even look at a house with wallpaper. I am so over stripping wallpaper, I said never again. And I mean it.

I agree!!! And this coming from a person with red cabinetry in the kitchen Color is one thing... wallpaper is straight from hell.

 

[hopemax]

On that note, if you make changes to your house after it has been listed, UPDATE YOUR PHOTOS! One house we almost bought, showed red carpet on the upper level, and ugly teal striped wallpaper in the basement. But when we toured the house, it looked so much nicer with a new neutral carpet, and painted walls. After we looked at it the first time, they did update their pics, and then it got sold before we could get our offer in. I think the updated pics helped because it meant there wasn't so much immediate work.

 

[minniebeth]

In a buyers' market, like it is now, you can always negotiate with the seller to have the house re-painted that their cost, their labor and/or strip wallpaper-- if you like the bones of the house. We know several people who have sold/bought houses with this agreement. Just a thought...

But Dawn, I definately hear your points and agree!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Oh yea. Another tip for pics is to take up any bathroom rugs or small area rugs.

Our pics are always fab., but that was one little thing that I noticed with before we sold our last house.