What to Update in Your Home Even if You Aren't Moving | Don't Do What These Homeowners Did

[@KatiSpaniak]

*Thinking about selling your home in the next 5 years. Join my Ready! Set! Sell! Masterclass and find out all the ways to prepare your home to maximize your profit!* bit.ly/TLH-PIN

[@cathycoryell2351]

Once you decide to sell, its no longer your home. You have to separate yourself emotionally from the house. Prepare for sale, means willing to paint, repair things you ignored, remove any old, dingy, dirty out of style curtains and decor, furniture or personal items. Mindset matters.

[@lilolmecj]

Our friends had their home staged, it looked good. The husband kept griping about how he hated the staging. Finally I said “ you are not buying it! It was a fabulous property, though very quirky and really needed a specific buyer. But they had significant equity, so it was a matter of how much, not if they would make money on it. They got a decent price but the husband had no tolerance for waiting for the right customer, he really was his own worst enemy.

[@WomanRoaring]

Yes, we were shopping in 2018 and omg the houses that were stuck in the 80s or the Tuscan kitchens with the 80s bathroom, we noped so many houses because they wanted top dollar but didn’t remove their very specific tastes.

[@barbo1106]

@cathycoryell2351 This is so true!

[@Dave-zl2ky]

We put an offer in for our current house an hour after viewing it. Dingy, bird seed impeded into an old shag rug in the bedroom. Old appliances and old curtains. All just very tired. We were so damn excited. You have to know value when you see it. It was a home in a neighborhood that was out of our price range. It was on a big lot with a great L-shaped master bedroom suite and a bay window overlooking the large backyard. The plumbing, electricity, and roof were acceptable. We now have a tiny mortgage and a great situation.

[@nancyj621]

This is so much better than buying a quick flip.

[@kathleenp9643]

Same here! ❤

[@ChristinaLarsen-vy1qr]

We did something similar, just closed in KC. Really good brick ranch with a full basement but unfinished. Wall paper and paneling everywhere. The built in appliances are probably as old as the house. We are willing to put in the work to update! Most of the other options were flips. Look pretty and possibly a bunch of hidden problems.

[@InvisibleWarrior279]

Right? Who cares what the finishes are or if it needs cleaning? Those are all easy projects. What you should be looking for are good bones and a good location. Everything else is fixable. I too am extremely suspicious of anything that looks like a quick flip.

[@mulliganstew72]

Very smart!

[@elalli99]

Having remodeled and sold 4 homes I would say she is pretty much right about everything she said. Too bad all realtors aren’t as good or smart or honest as she appears to be.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Awww. Thanks!!

[@leftwingersareweak]

Everyone, start at 14:14. There is a long and belabored story prior to getting to the 5 things to do to your house.

[@gloriawoods9848]

Thank you!!

[@hatwomantotherescue9564]

Thanks. She is knowledgeable and means well but she is somewhat repetitive and I just want her to get to the point already. ;-)

[@kathleenkalt3852]

My husband and I moved from CT to FL for our retirement 9 years ago. As you know, developers here often build out their communities in phases. Our house is in phase one, built at a time when fake Tuscan was considered a valid design choice. We've just completed a no demo reno. Painted all the dark cabinets white. Replaced all the dark granite counters with a much lighter quartzite. Replaced dated cabinet doors on all the bathroom vanities. Raised the shower floor so we don't have to step down and upgraded the shower doors. Should we need to sell down the road, I think we'll get our money back since the Florida market has gone crazy. We probably won't recover the costs of replacing all the hollow core doors with solid core doors and updating the trim around all those doors, but we love living with those upgrades daily. We also have someone clean the house twice a month. I think the advice you give is terrific.

[@lisasexton9420]

Hard to have all the money to do any updates.. you never get back what you spend

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks! And thanks for your comments!!

[@gbarnett9470]

Especially in Florida improvements like fixing step down shower to improve access and safety. Anyone over 60 will be looking at accessibility as our joints already ache.

[@yoli5933]

I live in every house I have purchased as though I am selling it tomorrow. I am a bit OCD, so organization and cleanliness are a priority! I keep my paint colors bright and neutral and my decorating to a minimum, yet tasteful. Clutter is a no-no! Maintaining everything in working order is very important to me. Every house I have sold (3) has been purchased by the first interested buyer!!!

[@arizonashopper5095]

Say it louder for the sellers in the back! 😂 I wish I could clone you and have more sellers like you!

[@hsiehkanusea]

This.

[@sheilaa1333]

LOL. Same! All three sold within 24 hours. Hoping for the same on #4 in a few years. 😁

[@PaintingandExercise]

That is how I am in my homes. I am always thinking about resale so I curb myself when decorating. I have a few sentimental items but most decor items in homes are just stuff. I have always been able to get a home listed within a few days of signing the listing contract and it usually sells within the first or second buyer that sees it.

[@christineroot6033]

Thanks …….your advice is priceless……it’s difficult to tell the senior sellers that their furniture and decorations aren’t what the younger buyers are looking for….. been there…

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you so much for your comment!

[@joycecox8285]

When my mom redid her kitchen I told her to add a dishwasher. I said if you move a dishwasher would appeal to more buyers. She’s stuck in the 1980s as for some of her design choices. It worked out that she didn’t have to move. That was 10 years ago.

[@e-spy]

I moved to my house 24 years ago. Middle class neighborhood. It has a double sized yard that had no grass, no gardens. First place I started. People think I professionally landscaped. I fixed the cracks in the stucco myself. I remodeled room by room, one bathroom had no choice but to take a sledge hammer to it. I painted every 3 years, fixed cracks, the original build had seams in the drywall still showing. Fixed. I finished the basement myself (the electrician tried to hire me for his house, lol). I even refinished some of the hardwood floors. I tell you this because the last 4 years have been horrible for me. I got covid very bad, long covid after. I am not the same. I do not spend hours and hours in the yard, no remodeling projects on the weekends. I can't even work anymore, and it was a desk job! My kids moved out to start their own lives, and this house is just too big for me now. What advice have you for someone in that pitiful state? My income is severely depressed (less than half). I feel stuck, and I need something easier, but I don't have the stuff it would take now to move. I know...wah, wah. I need creative ideas.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Let’s chat. I think you need someone who knows your area and what to do to get you into a home that works better for you. I am sorry you’re feeling so down. Email me [e-mail]

[@e-spy]

@@KatiSpaniak Thank you. email sent. And actually, not feeling down, just overwhelmed. This not self sufficient thing is driving me crazy.

[@glendabanta4832]

I wish all agents were this honest instead of trying to convince sellers that their house is worth more than it will ever sell for. My husband and I have been looking for awhile and seen so many houses over a million that are dark, dirty, dated, and in disrepair. It's very disappointing to walk into something like that at that price point.

[@anoceanofideas]

Not everyone will listen to their agent, just like this example, unfortunately.

[@karenpowers2225]

It says, "I need to get rid of this house, offer me less." But probably the sellers are just delusional.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you!! Many sellers put their price up really high and the agents don't know how to talk to them about it! Good luck finding your home!

[@karenmartin9008]

My parents were like this, had enormous expectations for their dated, unattractive house, and were convinced the real estate agent wasn't trying hard enough. In the end, one of my siblings bought the house for less than the parents wanted, but more than the market indicated. I think they did well, but some family members think my sibling "cheated" my parents (and by association, our future inheritance - eye roll!). I was grateful that my parents had enough for their retirement needs, the house had been on the market for months and nobody had offered anywhere near what my sibling paid.

[@merryfergie]

An agent should know how to talk about it/value of a house. ​@@KatiSpaniak

[@dianadonahue9354]

The comment about cleaning is SO important. Younger people dont get this. Clean the stove, clean the floors, wipe off fridge, Replace carpets (you dont have to spend huge amounts.) clean out the garage. Put a huge amount of the kids toys into storage. WASH the windows. When you have showings..bake a prepack mix for brownies or cookies. Have a few little lamps around with warm lighting. These are all things that require effort BUT cheap with big returns.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Absolutely, a clean and well-presented home can make a huge difference when it comes to selling.

[@jbridges9574]

I find it interesting that sellers don’t understand that when they look at their old, dirty stove, they think “oh well it’s old and needs to be replaced. Let the buyer buy what they want. A stove is cheap. Why would I replace about that?” When to a buyer, and probably to them as they look at new houses, a dirty stove represents “this house is not well taken care of.”

[@signespencer6887]

Right, also,buyers want to be able to move in- and old dirty kitchen appliances present the ‘ick’ factor. I would at least super clean kitchen and bathroom, replace any appliance that looks/feels ‘icky’- not a whole remodel but at least appliances that the buyer will be comfortable to use.

[@RG-hf4et]

Throw the stuff out or get a storage unit just to get the house sold asap.

[@WomanRoaring]

Right, years ago I was renting the master bedroom in a condo, I had one roommate and the owner who lived there but due to traveling was literally home 3 days a month so she’d just take the couch. She told us when she was going to sell that she needed us to move out stuff out so it looked empty but keep most of the furniture. The realtor came over and told us what we could keep, she had to pain the living room and the realtor replaced some furniture so it looked staged. The realtor was very good, she let us keep stuff in drawers but shelves and surfaces needed to be empty so the owner rented a pod storage box and we put our unnecessary stuff in there but could still access it if we needed. She sold it in like, 2 weeks so we moved pretty quickly. Anyway, ya using the garage to store everything is weird when you see it. It’s like, we’re not hoarders but your garage is like, um are you sure? Lol

[@xavierminchello8431]

SWISS COFFEE IS THE PERFECT WHITE TO PAINT. ITS CREAMY AND CALMING. NOT BRIGHT, JUST RIGHT!

[@nhlibra]

LOL. I bought a fixer-upper in 1996. I come from a construction family. My father and I refurbished the entire house (gutted it) and when it came time to paint the interior...I used Swiss Coffee eggshell (HD) for the downstairs walls (bedroom with other very light colors, they were ice-white colors from Behr paint). I used Dover White satin for the trim throughout. My Dad asked me why I didn't go with more color, since it was my home anyway. I told him I didn't know how my furniture would look in my new place and that I could paint later. I get a kick out of seeing you mention Swiss Coffee and we are in 2024!

[@cmbooks2000]

Love your tips and real life examples. I need to downsize. It will happen in 2 to 3 years so my plan is to get rid of as much stuff as possible, stop buying unnecessary items, and clean, clean, clean. Also, look at magazines for current fixtures and colors. We've been here 30 years and it looks like it, Lol.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks!!

[@lindabuck2777]

Title needs your point: Selling your home? 5 must see helpful tips-list the 5, in the beginning, deep dive in 3,2,1…kinda like that but make it yours. Be aware of repeating yourself, and show pictures for the example you’re talking about. It’s a learning curve for sure and you’ve done well, just some fine tuning. Good luck, may you sell many 🙏🏻🤔❤️

[@bethvillare5258]

We were the BUYERS in this situation. The sellers stubbornly stuck to a listing price that was much too high for way too long. We weren't even aware of the listing until the sellers finally came down (since it was well above that natural break you mentioned in the price range we were looking), then we got them down even further, because the home did need some work. We got a great deal though! You are exactly right with your advice!!! Great videos!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm glad my advice resonated with you.

[@nancyj621]

Why couldn’t the people who listed their house for two million dollars not hire a cleaning service? That is puzzling.

[@happydays1336]

Maybe to them it was clean so they didn't notice how dirty it was.

[@ChicaG-vg7pj]

We sold our first home with a hole in one of the walls. The reason for the hole was because we had rewired the house, and because of new code, we had to put in a mast. We got an offer almost immediately. When the home inspection was done, the inspector said it was one of the few homes he'd seen that had all the seals, stamps and paperwork for the work that had been done.

[@youareinbarbados2578]

In the years 2000 I came to us from Italy and said stainless steel appliances were really modern in Italy, nobody believed me, saying they were ugly. 20 years later everybody in USA is updating with stainless

[@laurachau1847]

You don’t have to update, paint, clean, stage…. As long as you price it right. Her point is every buyer will see all the things they have to fix, update and even scrub . No one wants to pay top dollar for blemishes of anything they purchase. Thats why people shop at garage sales, second hand stores and market place. They are willing to pay less for blemishes but they won’t pay top dollar for it. As a real estate agent I will show my sellers comps of past sales or active sales and each time ask my sellers, do you think your home is less, equal or more in comparison to your home? (Considering square footage, layout, condition etc) I can tell by their reaction most of the time they thought their home was worth more until they analyze the comps with me. I then ask them if they are willing to paint, professionally clean or whatever is needed to get top dollar. Most of the time they say no so we price it accordingly. Most homes will sell, unless there are major issues, but sellers have to be willing to price it accordingly! I 100 percent agree I love homes that need work so I can put sweat equity into it but again, it has to be priced right.

[@laurachau1847]

Btw I love your content! I subscribed because what you teach makes sense and it’s how I teach my clients. I know you get some negative feedback but being in this industry I know you are top notched in experience, knowledge and integrity!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you SO much for your comments and fore being a loyal viewer!!

[@kristinanoall]

So true! I had sellers who just would not listen to me when I told them their home was priced too high, when all the feedback from potential buyers and agents was that it was priced too high, and when they got showings but zero offers. The wife insisted that their bathrooms were updated (old yellow cabinets, peeling vinyl floors…), yet they had them renovated about a year after taking their home off the market. Um, I thought they were already updated?!

[@GwenMotoGirl]

I’ll never understand why people hire an agent they like and then refuse to do what the agent says.

[@cathycoryell2351]

A few photos would have helped make your point.... but this was a good list, in general. Kitchen, bath, paint, flooring in main living areas. Minimal landscaping, unless your local market will add value for that landscaping.

[@panicwithcompulsion]

Any photo she is going to have access to is going to be from the internet. Which means we can screen capture her video and reverse image search it to find the address. That's a huge privacy and security issue. It's also just a really bad look to get that specific when future clients will judge you for it.

[@lisat.8138]

Start at 14:00. Very practical advice!!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you for watching and finding the advice practical!

[@manualgearshift4965]

Speaking of staging and clearing out items, we thought we had staged a house to sell and our realtor said “get rid of your crap. People want to envision their crap”. We cleared out everything except the furniture and it sold-quickly.

[@KatiSpaniak]

That is the truth!!

[@eleanoreagly4844]

I am house hunting and 1 non negotiable must have is a basement because of tornados and wanting a place to go to be safer.

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

Kansas?

[@eleanoreagly4844]

Iowa, tornado less than a mile away@@pearlperlitavenegas2023

[@anitas5817]

In my area, carpet anywhere won’t fly. The buyers will factor in the cost to replace it with hardwood, if they bother at all, because it will be seen as dirty no matter what.

[@artsiecrafty4164]

Staging is almost everything.

[@dolorescordell129]

Good advice to keep up with maintenance and cleaning rather than waiting. You never know when you might want to sell quickly. (I've had it happen 3 times!) E.g. you decide to move to another city, you find another house that you fall in love with, etc. Be ready to jump quickly by keeping your house in "for sale" condition. And you will enjoy living there much more!

[@karilane1416]

My preferred buy is ugly and cheap… although I accidentally bought a house and stayed for 30 years. Some of our choices, buyers won’t like…but I am not going to get my feelings hurt that they won’t…stage and paint! No problem. Of course, I’ll probably be dead… but whatever 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@leejacobs3620]

Awesome down to earth advise. Thankyou for sharing.

[@KatiSpaniak]

You are welcome!! Thank YOU!

[@santasantinagatta]

Thank you this is valuable information that is incrementally useful.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Glad you think so!

[@xavierminchello8431]

PHOENIX AZ HARD FLOORING CAN BE LARGE TILE. KEEPS THE HOUSE COOLER IN THE SUMMER MONTHS

[@joyceschetter5871]

Very informative and helpful! Thank you!

[@KatiSpaniak]

You are welcome!

[@orphanedhanyou]

Love bright white. The perfect base for design & adding color in decor. We are not clean freaks & have pets but our baseboards look fine.

[@rose3789]

I'm 45 yrs old, Ive bought nd sold 4 homes in my life, feo 20yrs on. My 1st real estate agent said to me, inmy early 20s, keep doing your minimalist thing. I didn't understand the term at that point in my life. I only understood that I hated moving, hated having to transport "my stuff" no matter the distance. All in all, no matter your lifestyle, when you're thinking of selling, spend the $ to help you get rid of your current home. It's worth it, trust me. Even, more worth it to learn, what you need t do, t9 make your new dwelling sellable, before you buy it.

[@rose3789]

Keep, wherever you live, in working condition. It helps a ton.

[@robinbirdj743]

I have both liked, and subscribed. I’ve also learned. ❤

[@KatiSpaniak]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@amanacatandhisdog8836]

If you want to sell quick my understanding is it is better to risk being a bit too low than too high out the gate . At times you may get a bidding war as well.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yep! You are absolutely correct!

[@signespencer6887]

That is what my agent did- underpriced the asking, and we got way more than I ever expected. Also, I moved most of my things out before listing- just left enough to stage the space. Also, the house I bought the owners had it clean and well maintained- but full- really full- of their quirky furnishings and decor. If you can look past the stuff you can get a really good deal.

[@edennis8578]

You have to make sure, though, that you price it to what you're willing to accept, because if you price too low and only one person makes an offer at that price as is, you're stuck with it. If you don't accept, then you have to pay the realtor's fee anyway. In my area, that's 7% of the asking price. That happened to my mom. 30 years later, she was still mad at the realtor for giving her bad advice. The house sold so quickly that it was obvious that it was undervalued and she could have got more, but someone snapped it up before anyone else had a chance to look at it.

[@kathrynp7595]

I emailed you the correct info as well as a agent request for my house

[@flipperc6042]

This lady is a gem!

[@mayxiong5213]

Great points but keep in mind, it’s your house! I renovate for my own enjoyment, not hoping to make money off my house. Breaking even is good enough should I ever sell. Totally agree that houses carry energy!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes! They really do!

[@breskeno1]

Your videos are just so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Wow, thanks! So glad they helped!!

[@patriciaellinghausen4365]

I wish sellers understood the listing getting "stale" and losing energy. Listing too high is understandable, when the seller has emotional love of their home.

[@skat4160]

Please STOP telling people to paint their homes GRAY!!!!!! I was ready to place an offer on a property that I knew I was going to have to replace 3 high end items just to meet my standards and the Seller's Realtor had them repaint the ENTIRE house Gray which did Not compliment any of the other finishes in the home. Knowing what I was willing to pay to upgrade those 3 items, now I am faced with having to spend an additional $7000 to $10000 to repaint the entire interior was the deal breaker. I did not bid on that property. Gray is a Cool color, not warm and inviting in my opinion and I am tired or Realtors telling buyers to paint their homes that color. IT IS A TREND THAT IS OUT! So Please STOP for all us buyers that have some taste in warm, neutral colors.

[@nadiacoffey2609]

It’s true. I painted my whole house gray a few years ago when gray was really in. It’s just not right for my house. The whole thing needs to be re painted. A huge mistake on my part 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@WhatsEvenRealAnymore]

The gray is so overdone. Looking at houses on the market it was overwhelming with how many homes painted the same gray color. Yet underwhelming cause it just didn’t work well.

[@firestick4991]

Gray is too advanced more most people. It’s a tricky color to choose. Especially for the whole house. There’s over 50 shades of gray. 😏 It can be a warm color, but most people use one shade, the cool, sterling one I see used everywhere. I’ve painted my house gray. But I guarantee you never seen these colors used. Colors like Le Luxe and Antique Tin. Le Luxe is a charcoal with stone green. Antique Tin is dark, with red-brown undertones. Lighting can affect color temperature, too. If you have sterling gray and daylight bulbs, it’s going to look like a freezer in there.

[@2Peachcobler]

I agree I cannot stand a gray house. It is so depressing. I’ll turn around and walk out.

[@SarahS1214]

Yep that would be a deal breaker for me too, including grey countertops, carpet etc.

[@Carol_Pearson]

When I bought my house, the refrigerator was missing the handle, and the light had long since gone out. Also, the white cabinets and appliances had never been really cleaned. I finally, this year, am renovating the kitchen. Even with light wood cabinets, and stainless steel appliances, the changes I have made have made the kitchen look larger and brighter, and will be easier to clean, since there won't be over a decade's worth of grime build up.

[@rockshot100]

Never let an agent DESIGN your improvements. You need an Interior Designer, not a "decorator". An agent can asses what needs to be improved but not how. Also, if selling in 5 years get a master plan from a landscape architect, and get those well placed and carefully selected trees in. In 5 years they will finally hide bad views, provide privacy, much need shade and basically meld the house with the property.. Put in small plants, they are much, much cheaper. A 5 foot tree is not half the price of a 10 foot tree, it is exponentially more expensive. As in 4 times the higher than the 5 foot smaller one. Smaller trees actually grow faster than the same larger one. So in 5 years the smaller tree will be much larger than the bigger one. 250K on landscaping? The large part of that cost is the putting green and tennis court, and they probably installed very large plant material, for an instant effect. It is hard for me to believe the architect disregarded the original ranch house and didn't make it seamlessly blend with the additions. I am sure these owners insisted that the architect keep the ranch as-is, at which point I would have bowed out of the project. I would not want my name associated with such a basic and rookie mistake.

[@tazziemae4705]

really good information.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lilolmecj]

I am not questioning or arguing, but our last house had a putting green, it is why I put in an offer! But it was the cherry on the top. I looked at five houses in the same 5,000 price variance. The fifth house is everything you talked about. The homes were all close in age, but it was thoughtfully updated. They hadn’t gone nuts, but it had not brand new, but updated carpet, all walls freshly painted, garage clean, no clutter anywhere. It was inviting. I made an offer that afternoon.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yep! It makes a difference

[@hoboonwheels9289]

Interesting in early 2000s the wisdom was an empty house sold better😅 The worst sales I had were when the sellers didn't leave, thinking they would do better than the buyers agent, they lost a lot. Alternatively I got a great deal because the seller stayed and told me how desperate they were to sell, two adjacent properties for less than the cost of one, because they were desperate.

[@donaldlee6760]

Just found your channel and really like it. In the spirit of a recent comment I made in your photos video, should a smart buyer looking for a good deal seek out dirty homes with old paint/carpet/broken oven door (but oven still works fine) and instead added new concrete driveway/new HVAC/expensive landscaping and have been sitting on the MLS for months, basically the opposite of every point you give to sellers? We own a 5/3 home in the San Francisco Bay Area. The last of our 3 children will graduate high school this summer and begin the next phase of their life. We plan to buy another home near wherever the kids begin their adult life and I have enjoyed doing DIY cosmetic work on our current home.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks for your comments!! If you are willing to do the work, that is usually where you will get the deal on the home. The younger buyers are really too busy to do the work themselves. They like to decorate but don't love the heavy work. So take a peek at homes that need work that have been on the market a long time! Good luck!

[@janiceestes9518]

Please don't follow your children. They need their own space and learn for themselves. Don't move in the same town. My daughter had her in laws follow them and live close by. Long story short, they do not speak to each other and the in laws are not welcome there. I live two- and one-half hours away and I only see them when I am invited. I love my children, but they are married, and they do not need any parents telling them what to do or how to raise their children. When my children need me, I am there for them.

[@donaldlee6760]

@@janiceestes9518 - no worries, when I told my wife this she said pretty much exactly what you said. My wife's way smarter than me!

[@jackiewhitney5031]

@@janiceestes9518 This is so so true. It's so easy to want to do this but the kids need their space like you mentioned. And, yes they will make mistakes along the way. That's how they learn. They will call you when need be and that call will feel special. This is the time to do for you and hubby and travel to places and have fun! Life is too short!

[@MsFeiji]

they should have put a few less dollars on the outside (mini putt putt golf???) and more bucks on the inside.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yeah. But they didn’t know that when they did it.

[@kaylab1157]

I live in Arizona..HVAC is super important here lol

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes, definitely! The heat in Arizona can be brutal without a good HVAC system.

[@user-rm8rc1xi8g]

@ 15:00 Clean? They are all calling ibuyer for sure.

[@luvtravel6207]

My house looked like it got a face lift when I got it power washed, sanded and paint touched up, also updated all the exterior light fixtures, looks like a brand new house!

[@jeanettekays1954]

Hate grey. It always feels cold.

[@ceciliaferraro6360]

Thank you great info.

[@agabrielamartin]

Great video! Downloaded the ebook. This should be taught in school.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Want more Kati, Join our Masterclass bit.ly/ReadySetSellLive55

[@TnHomeLiving]

Some really good information. But I had to laugh about your comment on the want of the basement. “They want a basement with a bar a place for the kids to hang out”.

[@hotwig68]

is it better to wall off a 3rd bedroom that was opened up by previous owner used as a flex room and sell as a 3 bed 2 bath , or keep it and offer that possibility to a buyer who may only need 2 bedroom cottage for downsizing... this is of course when listing the property....we didn't need the 3rd bedroom so we use it as an extra living room right off the kitchen. (This is a charming 1900 sq ft bungalow in a premium location.

[@7SideWays]

The DOM of $1M+ houses in my area is 4x of less expensive. Median is about $500k.

[@intrigantina]

Any precious advice how to sell a property in Costa Rica?

[@KatiSpaniak]

I can find you an agent there if you need

[@janiceestes9518]

I am 70 years old, and I have only bought new homes, or I build them. Most people do not take care of their homes. I have looked at resale and most of the homes are dirty. My husband and I love our homes. Every 7 weeks I deep clean my 2200 square foot home from top to bottom. I move all my furniture to clean behind, move all my kitchen appliances to clean between the cabinets and behind them. I wash all my windows inside and out including the window tracks until you don't see any dirt/bugs. After all my light fixtures and fans are all clean as well as the house, I empty out my garage and wash the epoxy floor. Sometimes on my hands and knees. We paint as needed and every spring we trim our shrubs, add bark mulch. We have lived in this home for 9 years and it shows brand new. I don't even have a scratch in my stainless sink. My kids say we live in a museum. But I know if I had to sell my home, I can honestly say put it on the market now. No clutter, I just had my closets professional done by a company that I design them myself. I agree if you take care of your home the buyers will come. My last home never went on the market, it went under contract within a few days.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Wow! Great job!! Thank you for your comments!!

[@michellebilodeau3882]

I'm with YOU!😊

[@KatiSpaniak]

@@michellebilodeau3882 Thanks!

[@MyrtGyrt]

Janiceestes9518 for many it’s not a lack of love for our home, rather a lack of health and ability to. I’m a double organ transplant recipient (due to illness from age 8) and my husband recently had brain surgery. We are in our 60s.

[@janiceestes9518]

@@MyrtGyrt I am so sorry for your health issues as well as your husband. Yes, having any health issues can be challenging for sure. I had back surgery when I was 37 years old, and my husband has stage four CA. He has his days but is still working full time. I swim during the week to keep my back in shape and mobile. I have decluttered a lot in my home to make it easier for the both of us. We have a small yard but we both work on our lawn care. We both plant all the flowers in our community every Spring/Fall to keep our HOA dues low. For me staying active is the key. But I can understand where you are coming from. In my younger days I was a nurse who worked on a surgical floor. But our life can change too. I hope I didn't offend you in any way. I wish you both well and continue your journey together, because that is what matters the most.

[@edwardmarquis4411]

But how did the house look on the outside?

[@KatiSpaniak]

Haha

[@kaystinebrink1220]

Your Sellers Playbook is GREAT!!! Thanks for your efforts.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you for your comments!!!

[@lindagriffith8174]

Where is the sellers playbook? I don’t see it in the comments. 😢

[@KatiSpaniak]

bit.ly/TLSellerChecklist32 Here you go!! @@lindagriffith8174

[@debbieware5826]

Where did you get your shirt? Love it.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks! It’s actually a dress from Tommy Bahama!

[@tarabartee3424]

Trying to sell it when it isn't even clean!!!! GOBSMACKING

[@KatiSpaniak]

:)

[@lisahumlicektaylor2682]

Tried several times to download the sellers info but just isn't working. 😮

[@KatiSpaniak]

bit.ly/TLSellerChecklist32 So it automatically downloads and you’ll get an email as well. Check your spam.

[@NdnUrbanCat]

Can we get more pictures for comparison❤❤❤

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thanks! Watch some of the other videos I've put out... that was an early video. :)

[@leapace9480]

I tried to hire a cleaning service , and then they canceled due to a mouse. One mouse. In the fall. What home doesn't have one single mouse in the fall?

[@ArtamStudio]

There's no such thing as just ONE (mouse, cockroach, scorpion). If one got in, there's a good chance others are in but not visible. Mice only need an opening of 1/4" to get in! Get out your caulk, fill holes with broken-up copper (not steel) scouring pads and then seal them shut.

[@KatiSpaniak]

None in the chicago area!!! HAHA!

[@mommiedearest5337]

😂 Just one?

[@helentaylor7132]

I've had my smallish 1930 cottage-style home for 45 years. One year in the 80's, a mouse walked across the living room while I was watching TV, found other evidence in a kitchen cabinet and caught one in an upstairs bedroom! Egads! Set traps everywhere. One evening two traps went off about 5 minutes apart. Didn't have mice before or after that creepy couple months. I do watch out for them ever since though...and nada. Weird. People in my area of PA also aren't worried about a mouse coming in during the Fall though. We don't have scorpions. We also don't have roaches that I know of, although I have heard a couple people at work talking about them. A mouse I can deal with, but a roach? I'd flip out.

[@hsmd4533]

I am obsessed with your channel! I’m getting ready to list and doing a lot of decluttering. How big a deal is it that my garage is full with boxes? Should I spend the money to move those boxes to an interim place?

[@KatiSpaniak]

Hi! Thank you for your comments! You can keep boxes in the garage if it looks nice and neat. Stacked up. If it looks like hoarder boxes… then might want to remove! Good luck!

[@louannhuber2651]

Where was the subject house located? Trying to guess. I moved from Schaumburg (to Albuquerque) 6 years ago. Like to learn selling strategies. Thanks.

[@KatiSpaniak]

The north shore. Can't give any specifics. :)

[@prayonkreutz2398]

How do you sell your house in the winter or early spring when everything is winterized in your yard?

[@KatiSpaniak]

People are always buying no matter what time of the year. The summer gets more people because of the school deadline. But your home can still sell in the winter and spring.

[@nancyj621]

Any time we update our home we do it for us, and consider the expense a value in use. Getting more in the sale is a bonus. But of course we do paint and repair things before putting it in the market.

[@Toni_Snark]

The last 3 homes I’ve purchased were all painted “agreeable gray.” Yuck. The second one, I repainted Alabaster and sold it for $150,000 over what I paid for it two years later. I also upgraded all the builder basic bathrooms for 20K and more than made my money back.

[@nancywhitmore3497]

I agree that gray is "yuck." That's the best way to describe that "color." Let's all put some color back into our world! All the gray, black, and white in our homes, clothing, and cars is truly depressing! Color is energizing and makes us feel happy!

[@globalfamily8172]

The link for the seller's playbook is not visible via the link.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Sorry about that! To know what you need to update and what colors you should paint your home, download our FREE Seller Playbook here! bit.ly/TLSellerChecklist32

[@mollieallen7382]

If we aren't planning on selling soon but are considering making updates and adding things like a bedroom and bathroom who do you talk to?

[@debbieforhim7800]

I often get comments from people that our home is inviting, cozy, etc. I think that is partly because of the warm tones; if I paint all the walls white, it will lose its charm. I decorate in warmer tones, not greys. But I totally get what she is saying about how a home shows on-line. THAT is where you want to attract potential buyers. So I guess I will have to paint our walls white?

[@KatiSpaniak]

Not at all!! If it’s neutral it’s not worth the money to repaint. Just go with it!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Did you watch my video on the magic paint colors?

[@garyabc]

It would have been nice to see some photos to illustrate some examples of what you were talking about. Also your presentation was painfully repetitive. Otherwise, good concepts. Thank you.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Thank you for your feedback! I appreciate your input.

[@bobgriswold8950]

Additions can be a big turn off for me. I have seen too many additions that don't flow with the original house , just look downright awkward., or crrate awkwatd and hokey situations. An ezample I can recall was a nice 2 story home on nearly 10 acres we looked at. The house originally did not have a garage so at some point someone added an attached garage and put a family room/man cave above the garage. The issue with that was the only way to get to the room above the garage from inside the house was through one of the upstairs bedrooms. That was a hard pass for us. Another one was a house that just had the kitchen completely remodeled and the owners added a beautiful huge walk in pantry that came at the expense of the stairwell from the first floor to the cellar. Now the only way to get down there was to go outside and around to the back of the house. My first thought was how lousy it would be to have to go outside every time we wanted to do kaundry. Also, additions are the worst improvement in terms of ROI due to the high cost of labor and materials. Spend 100k on an addition and expect to maybe get 40k or 50k back.

[@crybebebunny]

Maybe these sellers should have gone look at the market themselves to see what and how things really are. What people are doing to sell today, within the price range and area were they are selling. One or two open houses would have gotten the point across.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Agreed

[@mulliganstew72]

Exactly. And realtor should come prepared with hard data from the surrounding area to show the seller which speaks more than just saying paint and spend all this money on updates…

[@crybebebunny]

​@KatiSpaniak You are probably not going to see this message, so it asif I am playing the lottery 🎉. I finished my Real estate course during covid. I started to work on getting my body stronger. I have Chronic pain, bedridden pains. I am not very good with technology, but I am great at sales/ negotiations ❣️ I have not taken my state's license test, because of mobility issues. What would you recommend ? I am usually walking around with a walker, I don't think anyone would want an inexpensive handicap Realstate agent. My pain multiple and I got scared of taking the state test. I don't want to become a billionaire just get enough income to buy my house cleare and help my children get into their homes. Then dedicate to true help people get their 1st homes.

[@KatiSpaniak]

@@crybebebunny Good for you for wanting to get into real estate!! There are a lot of other things you can do in real estate even if you don't show and sell. However, if you don't like technology, it might be a bit of a rough road. You can do transactional work in real estate without a real estate license. You should look to see if there are any transaction coordinator jobs that you could do. Then you can see if you really like it or not. And THEN you can decide to get your license. Good luck!!

[@fayepitcher1780]

I can't download I guess because I'm not in the US

[@KatiSpaniak]

Email me and I’ll send it. [e-mail]

[@hsmd4533]

You talk a lot in your videos about the importance of photos. I’m curious about the disconnect between the exterior of that overpriced house and the interior photos. I’m surprised the buyers got as many showings as they did if the interior photos were poor. I really love your real life examples. They’re super illustrative.

[@lizzysutton]

Kati, thank you so much for your input on this. We are planning on putting our house on the market in 5 months (after schools starts in Georgia, which I don't think is a good idea). Our master bedroom has a very tiny closet (it looks like a toddler's closet) and the bathroom is very outdated. Our kitchen cabinets are in desperate need of an update (the doors are all chapped and has expanded particle boards pieces and bits). Our unconventional oven (is very small) is located behind the kitchen's door. I literally have to make sure the kitchen's door is locked or someone coming in the kitchen can't open it if someone is standing in front of the oven. We have updated the first floor with LVP flooring (around 10k). I was trying to convince my husband to have the unconventional oven removed and replaced for a full-size electric range. What is your take on this? Thank you!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Hi Lizzie. Thanks for your comments. Did you watch my latest video about painting your cabinets? You need to choose which category your home is in. Will someone not buy the home because of the oven? Or is there some other reason they won’t buy the home? If that’s the case then replacing the oven won’t get you a return. If the closet is too small no amount of other work is going to get someone to buy the house if they want a small kitchen. So start there and let me know your thoughts after you see this one. The Impact of Painting Kitchen Cabinets: Maximize Your Home's Value kzbin.info/www/bejne/aom2YX1qbrpqm7s

[@lizzysutton]

@@KatiSpaniak Thank you so much for replying to my question. I've been watching all your videos lately to see what I can do to get my house HGTV like... it's going to take ALOT of elbow grease! I forgot to tell you that we also replaced all the countertops in the house from Formica countertops to quartz (something like 5k) even in the outdated bathrooms!!!! It's very hard to get husbands and wives on the same page when it comes to how to get your house ready to sell!!! Thank you again! I'm hooked to your channel!

[@KatiSpaniak]

@@lizzysutton Thank you and good luck!!!

[@bcr8tve]

Every video ends with the referral pitch. Shouldn't you be disclosing that you earn commission if that referral sells/buys a home? Transparency is 🔑

[@hemanshubahl3785]

Can you share Zillow listing so we can see in context.

[@cardsaremycanvas9065]

I love your videos. I am currently looking to downsize and the agent who is top of my list want to list on the 99 side lower of the price we want to attract the most people so 699 to hopefully get 730 or more for example. I am in Canada like the States being hurt by interest rates but things are still selling. I was also concerned that I have different flooring throughout and my bathroom needs updating( these were the last things on our list) we have a great floor plan my kitchen is recently renovated and definitely hgtv and my furniture is modern and no clutter. Still I asked what else I should do he said nothing I won’t get the money back I have carpet in the bedrooms and have pets so I tend to vacuum and bissell clean them all the time (I’m a bit of a clean freak) he said exactly what you are saying the house shows really well and looks very clean and cared for(he says people look at the baseboards!) I thought I should maybe do just a small reno but he is insistent i will waste my money! Your videos have helped me realize he might be right!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Listen to your agent! If he says you won't get it back, then you won't! Thanks for your comments!

[@eileenwatt8283]

That is so true" Homes carry energy". When my mom passed it's like the energy died in our beautiful home. Something shifted in the space. My mom was the pillar of our community. She was vibrant and and energetic. I moved out of our 7 bedroom 5 bath house but visited a few times. It took 40 years to get it sold. The buyer was a family friend of hers. He brought life back in the home.

[@DBanksofKC]

​@eileenwatt8283 I hope you meant 40 months - not years to sell your family's home. Or did you rent it out for some of that time?

[@HuntClubBarbie]

"people today want a basement with a bar, they want a place where the kids can hang out".... too funny.

[@timward3116]

I grew up in a Chicagoland 1958 split-level with a finished basement (panelled walls, bathroom, that great asbestos tile!), but I haven't lived in a place with a basement for the last 50 years (we don't have them in the major US city where I was transplanted). I miss the basements! Heck, I miss split-levels (also not available here). I can see how people in Chicago would expect a finished basement for over $2M LOL. But flexible buyers can find some truly unloved gems at low prices. I got one of those (only because it was the best I could get in a fantastic neighborhood), and although there are frustrating things about my home, I really do love it. The buyers of the home talked about in this video probably did really well, all things considered.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Oh for sure!! They did REALLY well. Two years prior, they would have sold for about $400,000 less than what they got!!

[@timward3116]

@@KatiSpaniak I've heard many in real estate say, "There's a home for everyone!" The trick is to align all the stars, I would think: cost, design, need, sellers and buyers. I LOVE your videos! I love learning about other markets and what people look for in a home. Last time around (4 years ago), I had a wonderful agent when I was selling and buying. Most of his clients were the multi-million-dollar home type, not someone looking for something well under the median price of a major growing sunbelt city, but he treated me as equal to his much bigger buyers/sellers. I truly appreciated him! You're very busy, I'm sure. Please don't feel you need to reply to this comment! Have a great day up there in the cold!

[@KatiSpaniak]

Love this comment!! Thank you so much for posting and letting me know!!@@timward3116

[@tealkerberus748]

Halfway in and still haven't heard anything about what I should be updating in my house before we sell. False labelling.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Ok

[@lillieberger2883]

Clean, tidy, no clutter. Freshly painted, nothing broken or very outdated, new or at least not old carpet, nicely finished floors and super clean bathroom tile and fixtures.

[@tealkerberus748]

@@lillieberger2883thank you!

[@abbibrannan333]

Wow, Chicago has, like everywhere, some real strange folks, showing a kitchen with a really dirty stove? and then the next one was an oven with no door? That is beyond strange, to me that is insane or borderline insanity as it is not safe. That is a total fire hazard probably against the building codes?

[@robinbirdj743]

It was missing the front panel, not the door. They are separate. Yes, no door would be a nonfunctioning oven.

[@cathycoryell2351]

Better to remove completely, a non working stove.

[@cathycoryell2351]

You can recognize a "flip house" when you open closets, or mechanical rooms, and see absolutely junky, 40 year old flooring, walls, shelves. Old paint cans, etc. Same with the basement... is it awful, or tolerable? mechanical units, hot water heater, should be easy to walk to, see. Put in new light bulbs, or replace a broken fixture.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yes. Truth

[@happydays1336]

The house should have been taken off of the market for a few months and then relisted so it looked like a new listing. Listings that say, "Price reduced!" make a person wonder what's wrong with the house. Having it on the market for a year and a half continuously wasn't a good idea in my opinion. I disagree about "no bright white trim." We've sold three homes with bright white woodwork. Two of the houses--one of them sold in 48 hours--had very pale blue walls and bright white trim and the people who looked at the homes loved it. We got 5 or 6 full price offers on the last house.

[@SamanthaEspinoza-b2l]

I could use the contact info for an agent in Utah County which of course is in Utah USA.

[@KatiSpaniak]

Here you go! Just fill this out! bit.ly/Find-An-Agent-32

[@citticat2]

$250,000 for landscape?

[@KatiSpaniak]

Yep

[@edennis8578]

And wouldn't spend $2,000 for a deep-cleaning service. That's so odd.

[@linzigold112]

Trusting your real estate agent sounds great in theory, but unfortunately, the majority of information out there proves that most agents are not 100% on the up and up and have their interest in mind primarily. The difference between a few hundred thousand dollars on their commission just isn’t enough for them to care. They’d rather sell the house fast and not risk it. It’s unfortunate, but it’s human nature. Just providing an explanation from a consumer standpoint.

[@KatiSpaniak]

That’s your belief. But there are many agents who work really hard for their clients. Stick around. That’s me

[@linzigold112]

Glad to hear you’re the exception! I feel bad that so many agents give the good ones a bad name. Unfortunately it’s happened to me multiple times where realtors were trying to get me to sell my houses for lower than market and basically took advantage of my naivety. By the third one I held my ground and ended up getting way more than what any realtor recommended. The real kicker is when I went through real estate classes myself… it made me realize how many unethical practices all the agents have used. Honestly, I believe that’s what brought on the big lawsuit. It must be humbling. If only more agents thought about the fact that people are going to grow up and get smarter about everything someday. Please keep up the good work and never change :-)

[@KatiSpaniak]

@@linzigold112 Yes. There are a lot of agents out there that are not good... hopefully that will change as the standards are increasing naturally with the new NAR lawsuit.

[@raqsabelle]

That was a fascinating story in a horrifying kind of way. I like small '50s ranches and can't imagine what that house was Frankensteined into. People are complicated in their attachments to their existing homes.

[@ryanr6240]

Update suggestions start at 14:07

[@nadiasews]

This is sad when people destroy the original midmod homes because once they are “updated” they are gone forever…. Bummer

[@pattytada9117]

Why didn’t they clean it instead of dropping the price repeatedly.

[@karencski711]

I don't know about these people, but for some people it's not worth all the energy, time, and stress just to make the extra money. It's a valid choice. No one ever seems to calculate in how much of the sellers time needs to go into the staging and stuff.

[@KatiSpaniak]

They didn't really understand.

[@edennis8578]

​@@karencski711They spent $250,000 on landscaping. They could have hired a company to deep clean their house for them for $2,000. It wasn't a case of them having to go to a lot of work because they could have hired it done. They just didn't think it was important.

[@angelabacker1177]

Gosh these comments are so rude

[@KatiSpaniak]

😂 I’m used to it!!