You bring up some interesting points.

I had a real estate license for a short time about 20 years ago and I still keep track of our local market, so my comments are from that perspetive.

As a new agent we had little or no training. No one in my office appeared to know anything about staging a home so few if any suggestions were given to the sellers. Many sellers bristled at the idea that their home needed to be decluttered or cleaned. Many agents in my area seem pretty desperate so they will take on any listing.

While many people on this forum like yourself would notice shoddy work or poor design for the majority of people that 1st house would be just fine.

I would love to hear current real estates agents thoughts on this.

It really depends on the price point. When we were looking for a house to flip, we saw many short sales and foreclosures. Some were put on the market clean and ready for someone to move in.

Most of the real 'deals' were a mess. Many of the foreclosed properties were completely stripped. Completely. No closet doors, bathroom fixtures or kitchen cabinets. These were not always bankowned properties, but houses that investors had bought and then put back on the market hoping for a quick profit.

We liked those messy 'deals'.

ML

I think that's what bugs me about the first place, the people who don't have experience in home decor and repair, the ones that don't spend hours reading GW, will pay more for shoddy work. I feel like the realtor/flipper will be taking advantage of them if s/he gets the asking price.

It was a cute place with potential. I hope the right buyer gets it for a fair price.

I used to watch some of those fix it up fast and sell it shows. Maybe all their final results looked this bad but they didn't show us.

If ranch houses are in demand, maybe the 2nd house was told don't waste your time decluttering or getting rid of personal items because it will sell fast.

I need to let it go, I don't have a personal stake in either place. I shouldn't worry about who buys it, how long it takes, or what they pay. Note to self: do not go on any more real estate visits until it's me looking to buy.

ETA:
The two places are priced the same at just over $200,000. Since I'm not the one in the market to move, I don't know if the pricing is realistic or starting high for negotiation room. I was only tagging along for fun.

The 2nd was a much better location and nicer property. The floors were Pergo, the rooms might need some fresh paint. To me, it was in move-in-ready for most people.

The first place had hardwood floors, which would benefit by refinishing but it wasn't required. To me, every room needed work even without refinishing the floors. It's on a very busy street.

This post was edited by hhireno on Wed, Jul 10, 13 at 14:59

I have learned that realtors have one goal! Make a commission!!

That's it!

They just list or sell properties. It is NOT their responsibility to filter through the listings, or to make judgment on those they list. They are in it to sell it. Or to list it!

As a buyer, it is YOUR responsibility to filter through, and stay away from flipped properties. They all have a smell, and after a while you understand.

Flippers are in it to make money, Realtors are in it to make money. You are in it to get a good deal!

Good luck!

Suzi

I agree -- experienced, caring, local real estate agents, whether Realtors or not, SHOULD know better. But maybe none of those things applied here.

Maybe it was just a group of out of town investors or something with little local oversight. Maybe they just wanted to do the minimum to pass inspection, figuring anybody buying such a house would come in and put their own fixtures and fix-its on it. Maybe they were counting on their experience with uneducated buyers.

Or maybe they were just cheap and careless. Your sister is lucky to have you!

I agree witht the OP. just viewed a couple houses in my neighborhood with my sister too. The first house, although close to 50 yrs old like mine was pristine. You certainly couldnt te three small children lived there. It was spotless, nicely painted, and well cared for, despite needing moderate updating. Ii would have taken that white formica and tan berbercarpet any day just because the house was cozy and immaculate.

The 2nd house had a fabulous pool but shoddy diy throughout, and the 3rd was a joke. Allegedly, a realtor flipped this one too. But for some reason he kept the hunter green formica and saltillo tiles throught the first floor, the faux marble surround on the jacuzzi and the awkward light box. Really? And the claims of new paint throughout were a lie. Im on a first name basis with the SW store in the neighborhood, so i know new paint when i see it. No way it was freshly done and still looked that dull.

Honestly, the house would have been better if they left it as is, sold for less, and let the buyer make the proper upgrades. It just didnt look like a quality job. Its like they want a naive or unsuspecting newbie to fall for a few minor details without focusing on the actual house. And sadly people do. Guess im dfferent because i dont need the latest trendiest finishes. I just wanted solid construction. Seems like the flip budget should be appropriate to the size and style of the home and neighborhood. If you're gonna do it, do it right.

And all realtors and real estate agents are not created equally. Some are great, some are lousy, and some are downright unscrupulous just like any other profession.