Leaving something for house buyers?
dedtired
18 days ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (39)
Related Discussions
How did you leave the house for your buyers?
Comments (22)Well, We decided against the plant and/or wine etc. We didn't think they would appreciate it, based on our experience so far. We did however still have the house professionally cleaned. Since we stopped the weekly cleanings a couple of weeks prior to moving out, it really wasn't any more expensive than what we had been paying and it was a huge time saver for us. She did a fantastic job (much better than I could have done) and I felt good about it. The insides of all the cabinets were clean, she oil soaped the outsides too. Washed walls that were behind furniture for years along with the routine cleaning. It was just nice. We gathered all the keys we had made over the years for family etc. There were several for inside the house and more for the garage and storage shed, mailbox,etc.-- We labeled them all with key tags, left them with the garage door openers and a nice letter welcoming them to their new home and explaining what else we had left, wallpaper, borders, manuals, bulbs for outide lighting, touchup paint etc, and how to turn on the sprinkler system come summertime. We told them we hoped they enjoyed their time in the home as much as we did and wished them well. They were sincere sentiments. We hope the current owners of whatever home we will buy will be as courteous we we tried to be....See Morewhat are you required to leave the buyer...
Comments (25)You aren't required to leave anything not specified in the contract. What I did for my buyers was to buy one of those alphabetized accordian files and slip all the owner's manuals for the appliances that remained (fridge, washer, dryer, boiler). If there were active warranties, I slipped them inside the folder as well. I also left a list of phone numbers for service people who had worked on the house-systems, such as electrician, plumber, heating system, floor refinishers, etc. I also left them receipts for big repairs that had been completed, such as new roof, replacement windows and new deck. At the final walk through, I also provided them a hand-drawn map of the plants in the back yard (aka, there are tulips and daffodils in this bed, these are pink azaleas, this bed contains blackberry vines, etc.). Not required whatsoever, but it was what I would have wanted someone to leave me....See MoreHome buyers: Do you drive around looking for houses for sale?
Comments (17)I search various real estate websites online, everyday. It's like a part time job for us. Not so much remax, century 21, or weichert, since their sites tend to be so overwhelming and cluttery. I tend to choose local real estate company websites, which in my experience have been a bit more accurate with more detail and clearer photos. If I find a house I like, I try everything to find the address to visit it first before wasting our agents time. Real estate agents aren't what they use to be (no offense). It use to be that they showed you houses that truly matched your criteria, now you can't trust an agent, especially if you live out of state. They will show you the junkiest houses, in the worst neighborhoods, with no regards to your wishes or needs, and let me tell you we're not picky. All we're looking for is a fixer upper on a wooded secluded lot. We're willing to do the roof, the floors, doors, trim. All we need is at least 3 bed, 1 bth, but leave it to your agent to show you houses that are undoable. In their defense though, I understand they have to show off the houses that have been sitting for a while to demonstrate effort to the seller, however, it's not cool when your agent knows you're driving 3-4 hours to see a house and you have specifically asked them if the house is secluded and they tell you yes, only to get there and see another house in plain view. Thank goodness we decided to rent in the area we're looking so we don't have to drive 3-4 hours anymore.....See MoreMore nosey neighbors than buyers at open house...
Comments (29)Unfortunately, our community had a rash of incidents about 4 years ago that may have been linked to open houses. Small items were missing, keys disappeared, or windows/doors were left unlocked and perps returned to steal stuff shortly thereafter. My realtor was really great at telling us to remove ANYTHING small that we did not want viewed or lost. The list included, keys, meds, money/coins, any jewelry, small pictures, collections, items with personal importance. Glassware, silver, even china should be packed away. Remotes, laptops, I-pads, chargers, tools, dvds, etc...all needed to be in locked drawers. Calendars with your schedule on them needed to be hidden. Even items stored under beds and in closets should be in boxes/totes that were taped shut. We even had a few beers in the fridge walk off. We had about a couple dozen showings that I know of. There were faucets left running, windows left open, heaters turned on and left on (in summer). We had kids crawling under beds, playing in closets, jumping on beds. (I began to just go next door and look through the window to see what people were doing while at my house. When I saw 2 girls jumping on my antique bed in the front bedroom of my house while the parents were milling about in the back yard, I walked over and rapped on the window of my bedroom -- boy did those two girls take off like a shot to the backyard!) I was really floored when I saw private items like dresser drawers had been opened and some of the contents moved around (husband is very OCD on his drawer organization and we know they were gone through!). I even had a closet staged with nothing but my business suits hanging in it -- and some of the jackets had the pockets turned out like they had been gone through! I wanted to put a mouse trap in one -- but held off. Visiting realtors were bad enough at keeping track of house hunters when having private showings -- it would have been worse with an open house. We eventually sold to the parents of a woman who stopped by my neighbor's place while I was sitting on the porch with my neighbor. The lady came by to say she didn't have a realtor yet, and her parents had just sold their home across the state and were looking for a home like ours. She asked if I knew the people who lived in the house on the corner (mine). I fessed up right away that I was the owner and she asked to have a quick look -- normally I would have referred her to my realtor, but since she had custom plates on her car, my neighbor and I figured we were fairly safe! (She was the wife of a local doctor we later found out.) The quick tour of the house convinced her it was exactly what her parents wanted -- and 2 days later they traveled the 4 hours to view the house and make an offer! yeah! Maybe if I had an open house she would have stopped by, but she was attracted by the street side for sale sign in a neighborhood she was targeting. I'm certain she would have called the realtor's number had I not been there, but we used the opportunity to sell the house....See Morebpath
18 days agodedtired
18 days agodedtired
18 days agodedtired
18 days agoFun2BHere
18 days agobeaglesdoitbetter
18 days agolast modified: 18 days agoSueb20
18 days agonicole___
18 days agoKswl
17 days agolast modified: 17 days agoarcy_gw
17 days agomaire_cate
17 days agolast modified: 17 days agoAllison0704
17 days agodedtired
17 days agoOakley
16 days agodedtired
16 days agoSueb20
16 days agoSueb20
16 days ago
Related Stories
FUN HOUZZSomething a Little Different: Fairy Houses
Miniature abodes crafted for otherworldly creatures capture the imagination
Full StoryMOST POPULARA First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Home Maintenance
Take care of these tasks to avoid major home hassles, inefficiencies or unsightliness down the road
Full StoryFURNITUREForever Furniture: A Buyer’s Guide to the Dining Table
There comes a time when a make-do piece of furniture won’t do. We give you a leg up on choosing the right table for you
Full StoryLIFEThe Polite House: On Dogs at House Parties and Working With Relatives
Emily Post’s great-great-granddaughter gives advice on having dogs at parties and handling a family member’s offer to help with projects
Full StoryBEDROOMSA Buyer’s Guide to Covers for Cozy Winter Nights
Know what to look for when shopping for wool, fleece, cotton, acrylic and electric blankets, as well as quilts
Full StoryAPARTMENTSHouzz Tour: Something’s Different in Denmark
The owners of this bohemian Copenhagen apartment rebel against the Scandinavian penchant for white interiors
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNA Buyer’s Guide to Kitchen Counter Stools and Bar Stools
Before shopping for counter or bar stools, read our guide to stool heights, styles, spacing and comfort considerations
Full StoryHOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HOUSEAttract Home Buyers Easily With Great Photography
Show your home's best face in real estate listing photos to have potential buyers knocking down your door
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES7 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster to a Younger Buyer
Draw today's home buyers by appealing to their tastes, with these guidelines from an expert decorator
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSE7 Must-Dos on the Day You Show Your House
Don’t risk losing buyers because of little things you overlook. Check these off your list before you open the front door
Full Story
nini804