Before Selling Your Home, You MUST DO This!

[@DillyDahlia]

Perusing Zillow has become kind of a “hobby” for me, haha. A couple things I’ve realized doing this…when a listing has many outside photos at the beginning, I start suspecting that the inside is not good, and 95+% of the time it ends up being true. Maybe they are trying to emphasize the beautiful location or view, but this strategy is a turnoff for me in a buyer’s mindset. Also, as for empty houses not having energy…true, but I’d rather see an empty house than a virtually staged one, or worst of all, an extremely cluttered one. Another turnoff is photos taken with a wide-angle lens in an attempt to make rooms look bigger. If I go to see that house in person and see how small the rooms really are, I am going to be very annoyed as a potential buyer. Another peeve…indoor pictures where the blinds or curtains are closed. I immediately start wondering what is out there that they’re trying to hide….a dilapidated house next door? Nuclear power plant? 🤣 Really enjoy your videos….we’re considering a move in the next year or so and find them very helpful!

[@Toni_Snark]

I do the same! Also zoom in on the trim and walls, especially corners if you can. You can see if they're gouged, worn out or freshly painted.

[@CCOREY5]

I’m the opposite. To me the outside, exterior and the property it’s on is super important. I want to see the property layout and any mature gardens or potential gardens…or huge trees that might be trouble. The inside of the house…also, but a tad less so. You can change the inside but you often can’t change much of the property the house is on.

[@Grungefan2018]

Oh yes same here. I live ina rural area and they post 20 outside photos and 9 inside . Alot of people avoid the bathroom. Big red flag.

[@amanacatandhisdog8836]

Don’t like excessive drone shots. As well.

[@kzf8978]

I saw a house online that I can't unsee. It was one main room, a bathroom with no door and I could not see a kitchen or bedroom anywhere. The entire place had taxidermy animals everywhere. Like from Africa . There must of been more than 50 of them on pedestals. The whole place was very run down. I don't remember the square footage of the 'house' but the 1/2 acre property was on a muddy river. Asking price was 325,000. 😮😮😮 Love your videos and advice!

[@KatiSpaniak]

You definitely can’t unsee that!!

[@kaystinebrink1220]

You helped us sell our home in May. Now that we have moved to another state, we are looking for another home. We found a home for sale in the PERFECT LOCATION. Unfortunately, this 1997 home had no upgrades done to it since that date and repairs were not kept up. My husband and I set a price we thought was fair for the condition of the home (water issues, all new windows needed, furnace, hot water heater and air conditioner need replacing plus bathrooms needing work, etc. etc. etc). By the time we would bring this up to standard, the cost would make this poor investment. Lucky for us, there are always more homes. Your info really helped me keep the emotion out of this possible transaction.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Kay thank you so much for this!! So glad I could help!

[@gingermonette7455]

I love these videos where you show real listing pics and give commentary.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks ginger!

[@pxn748]

ON #2, the floors don't need to be replaced, just refinished. It is the original pine flooring. Yes, I know refinishing is a royal pain!

[@KatiSpaniak]

For sure. Guessing it could look nice!

[@kathrynp7595]

My favorite videos are when you show pictures, very helpful 👍🏼

[@KatiSpaniak]

Glad you like them! Appreciate your comments as always!

[@judybee6698]

House #2 they are being honest in their photos. Photos of how it could look with refinished floors and pics of how it really is. I'd prefer that honest presentation to a fake it presentation in photos that will cause me to waste my time going there if I am not wanting to refinish floors.

[@jillcnc]

If I bought a house and someone had put those [expletive deleted] gray LVP floors over original pine hardwoods I'd be livid.

[@cherylanon5791]

Please remember, not all buyers are "young" in fact I suspect 1/3 of buyers are age 50+ but I could be wrong. And not all buyers care about trends-- they want quality even if it's a little "dated" they'd rather have that than cheaply done "updated" houses.

[@tammyrussell-rice5508]

The problem is that a lot of folks do not know or can differentiate RH from IKEA. And, they certainly do not understand the difference between 2x4 vs 2x6 construction.

[@dfinite1111]

Agree! I look for quality, care taken over time, state of condition of everything important (and pricey!) and also things like mold or water damage, and unseen or unpredictable harm or dangers. Size matters too.

[@qualitytouchpainter]

When you see gray walls and gray floors…. Run.. run away.

[@judybee6698]

I think virtual staging should be noted in the listing or on the pics.

[@cathyrackowski2824]

I firmly believe that getting a photographer that specializes in homes is more important than most anything else. I’ve seen photos where I ask “Are they trying to sell this place they haven’t cleared anything out!” Photos of unmade beds with men’s trousers on the bed, bathrooms overflowing with toiletries, or worse photos of homes all decked out for Christmas but you’re looking at them in the Spring! 😂 Check out a photographer’s portfolio, contact references, do your homework and get those buyers in to grab your home! Good luck everyone.

[@tescherman3048]

You're absolutely right about staging. That living room of house #8 at 17:55 is giving me funeral home vibes.

[@mcook407]

Great Video; I love the details you touched on. Super helpful.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you so much!

[@MaddieBr]

I follow every SFH listing in a 3 sq mile area. I go to many open houses. It is very informative

[@amynelson6910]

SUCH a great video with so many excellent points! --from your home stager supporter! 🙂

[@gwenkersten3760]

Another good video with important insight...thank you❤

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks Gwen!

[@deelehey2827]

Love the wood cabinets and framing. Not everyone wants white trim.

[@danacaro-herman3530]

I love all that wood too!!❤️

[@deelehey2827]

Love the grey walls.

[@terrikim4992]

How important is price per square foot when looking at sold homes in our area? It seems that is how homes are priced here. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@FrancesScannapieco]

Like the yellow in bathroom. I’m in my 60s

[@s1nd3r3llee]

I have thought about signing up for your Seller’s Book, but you receive a very important commodity, when we sign up to receive it - our email addresses! It is definitely not free. I just do not want to be inundated with emails about selling my home. I already receive so many unwanted emails from thousands of businesses. I do, however, appreciate your videos. Thank you.

[@KatiSpaniak]

You can download it and then unsubscribe. My follow up emails are all about how to get your home ready to sell. No pressure at all.

[@lorettasnow952]

Enjoyed this video very much. Thank you.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dfinite1111]

Your video is educational, I appreciate all the knowledge! IMHO though, if a color looks too mustardy-I just don’t consider buying according to paint color. I know paint colors can be changed. If someone buys a house because of the interior paint colors, then they are a dummy!

[@abbibrannan333]

Love your videos, can't stand Louis Vuitton. In my opinion most of his bags are so ugly, just my opinion. You do a great job of educating us sellers and buyers, Thank you!!

[@rickthng9794]

Excellent information!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you!!!

[@bobkatc9368]

Would you recommend removing security bars from the windows and updating the windows on a 1974 adobe ranch home?

[@reginafarrow163]

Most definitely. Remove security bars for the sake of egress in case of fire.

[@ElizabethE1267]

So how do you assess your homes property value when your home is completely been updated with high-end finishes compared to recent sales around you?

[@skipbogard]

Great question. Most 90's homes in Raleigh were built with Masonite (now failed/rotting). 65% of homeowners replaced it with cheap vinyl siding, 15% replaced it with Hardiplank (cementious siding). The remaining 20% have replaced a portion of their Masonite with a hardboard replacement. Some homeowners replace old windows with $300 vinyl windows, some use $700 Anderson or Pella windows. It comes down to Builder grade replacement vs. High quality upgrade replacement. And much of that decision is now being done by Wall Street firms buying up houses.

[@mic2349]

Good video. Thanks

[@KatiSpaniak]

Glad you liked it!

[@tamlalaland3777]

Thank goodness for virtual staging. If your house is empty

[@deelehey2827]

Many Zillow Florida listing pictures begin with a pool view.

[@tammyrussell-rice5508]

Cool paints are OUT.

[@debbieshultz7335]

Is it possible to sell a home without posting pics online?

[@nancylyon-gray3499]

Looking at the first house you posted. I noticed that all of the staged pieces are all the same height.

[@suzboeh633]

I have been following you for awhile and took another look at some listings in my area. I found one home with a listing photo that showed a pile of toys and boxes in the front yard by the street which were clearly put there to be discarded. What agent would put such a photo in a listing??? Not one I would ever hire. Ditto for a listing with an incorrect town listed or the one incorrectly referring to its location relative to a neighborhood amenity.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yep!! Right! Once you see it it makes you recognize what’s good!

[@nutritioncoachjo]

I love your videos! I look at a lot of homes online and I can tell immediately by the photos if it’s been staged. An untidy home where someone can’t even make a bed? I think to myself how can anyone take that photo and think it looks good. Honestly, from a buyers perspective, virtual staging is deceiving IMO. That is not the representation of the home or the energy. I’d rather see it empty if no one lives there. Question. I am staging my own home. I have a warm light gold color throughout the entire home. Is it worth the money to paint all the walls white? Would the chances of getting a slightly higher price increase based on the paint color? Our house is in pristine condition and we are listing at $1.1M so it is a higher end market. Thank you.

[@KatiSpaniak]

@@nutritioncoachjo I would ask your agent. I'm going to say it's not worth the money if it's "neutral" Post production, you can pull some of the warmth out of the photos as well. Send me a picture and I can advise. thx

[@cakedupkevin]

That doll collection is terrifying!

[@bookswithatwist-vanvelzerp9262]

if people want a perfect house why don't they build their own? I want a house with wood and character .... most people I know do - this is just showing homes I consider nearly perfect .... I don't have money to do any type of 10K upgrade to make it look like every other house on the market - I'm perplexed with people

[@bettysmith4527]

OMG, that house you showed first looks like a zebra exploded in there!!

[@deelehey2827]

Get professional pictures.

[@mgtowski395]

Looks like yt unsubscribed me.

[@tabbycat8511]

“Agent agent agent” is all I hear. You must be one. There is no need to use a real estate spent in 2024.

[@virginiarudzinskas4576]

If you've ever sold a house you would realize just how important an agent is. Kati makes very good points and is giving you a lot of free information. If she knows a good agent in your area, it's a definite advantage for you. In this day and age, I would not even consider letting someine come in to see my home on my own. Too risky. As for her being an agent, she obviously is, since she's so knowledgeable. Have a good day and enjoy your home.