If you're shopping for a home it can be difficult to know when a property's less-than-perfect aspects should be deal breakers and when they can be easily remedied. Some factors — like pervasive mold or a bad location — may be hard or impossible to fix. However, keep an open mind if you see the following flaws, as they could be concealing your dream home:
- Appliances: "The kitchen is the heart of the home, and often the appliances aren't going to live up to your dreams," real estate advisor Michael Corbett tells financial planning website Learnvest. "As long as you have room in your budget or a timeline to replace the existing appliances, try and look past it."
- Cabinets: Hideous cabinets don't necessarily need to be replaced. You would be amazed at what a difference a new finish, fresh coat of paint and/or modern knobs can make.
- Carpet: Not in love with the lime green shag carpeting? While it may be an eyesore, you may very well be able to replace the flooring and still come out ahead financially.
- Curb appeal: Curb appeal is one of the most important factors if you are hoping to sell your home, because first impressions are so important. However, savvy buyers know better than to judge a book by its cover. Try to imagine how a property could look with a different front door and better landscaping. If you master this trick, you could find a great deal on a gem that is hidden in plain sight.
- Dirtiness: It's hard to get excited about a home that looks and feels dirty, but don't let your emotions take over. Remind yourself that you can hire a professional cleaning service if it means getting a good deal on the right property.
- Heating and cooling units: It's sometimes scary to hear that a house's air conditioner or furnace needs work, but such issues are not necessarily signs that a property is a money pit! Before you panic, take a closer look. MSN reminds us that some minor fixes may only cost a couple hundred dollars.
- Odor: A home's smell greatly influences how we feel about it, whether we realize it or not. Ask yourself if a strange odor is influencing your feelings about a property. Does the current owner smoke? Do they keep pets indoors? Are things maybe a little dustier than they ought to be? Bear in mind that a good scrubbing, new paint and some fresh air can often get rid of any strange scents.
- Paint colors: Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive changes you can make, but it often dramatically transforms a home's entire look. Don't be blinded by the ugly colors a property's previous owner chose for the exterior and/or interior of a house. Instead, do your best to picture what it could look like in a more tasteful shade.
- Window treatments: Those dated blinds from the 1980s may be eyesores, but remember that they will be simple to replace. Investing in new window treatments is like buying a property a pair of stylish new glasses — relatively cheap but completely transformative.
Are you currently looking for California homes for sale? If so, contact me, top real estate agent Jon Hesse. I've completed more than $100 million in transactions in Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado Counties, giving me the experience necessary to help you find the perfect property for you!