Selling

Sell Your house Now!

Contents:
Sell your House Now!
The Worst Case Scenario
The Best case scenario

Sell Your House Now!

A short story for people wanting to sell their homes now!

When you put your home up for sale, it is hard to objectively look at your surroundings. Instead of the window that needs caulking, you see the view of the tree where your first swing hung. Instead of a refrigerator plastered with artwork, you see a visual progression of your child’s school years. However, it is important to remember that prospective buyers do not share your memories. They will see what is directly in front of them, minus the nostalgia!

To emphasize this point, I have created “The Worst Case Scenario”. Come and view the home of the Blank Family. Who think it is absolutely perfect.

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The Worst Case Scenario

Introducing #22 Maple Avenue: The Worst Scenario – Unsold!

#22 Maple Avenue has come on the market. The Blank Family, who currently own the home, have decided to move and today they are having their first Real Estate “showing”. The Blanks are feeling pretty confident that their house will be sold by the end of the week.

The potential buyers, Mr. & Mrs. Hopeful, arrive on time and maneuver their car into the vacant spot on the driveway. Once out of his vehicle, the first thing Mr. Hopeful notices is a big oil stain on the pavement. He suspects that there could be more underneath the Blank’s rusty family sedan parked beside him, as well as on the floor of their garage.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Hopeful has stepped over a bike that is lying exactly where a young Blank hurled it, and she is now carefully making her way along the broken bits of flagstone leading up to the house. Is that dog debris in the grass?

Mr. Hopeful pauses for a moment to get an overall view of the front of the Blank’s home. What does he notice? Let’s see … a couple of shingles missing, a rather sagging eaves trough, chipped paint here and there and Christmas lights (even though it is May).

He joins his wife on the porch and Mrs. Hopeful pushes the doorbell … that hasn’t worked properly for the past six years. She has plenty of time to notice the flowers in the pots, which look as though they expired the previous summer. Also, the outdoor light fixture is missing a light bulb.

After a moment, they are welcomed into a dark and depressing entry hall. What is that smell? Dogs? Mildew? Something rotting in the kitchen? Mr. Hopeful opens the entry closet. Out tumbles two golf clubs, a basketball, a pile of old newspapers, several dog leashes, a single running shoe and a game of scrabble. Every outer garment owned by the Blank Family has been crammed onto hangers, and whatever didn’t make it to a hanger has taken up residence on the floor.

Next, they enter the living room. Despite the possibilities, Mr. Hopeful is distracted by the light switch that doesn’t turn on the ceiling light and the remnants of a late night snack on the coffee table (plates of crumbs and a couple of empty pop bottles).

Mrs. Hopeful is trying to figure out how to open the glass curtains to see the view. They seem to be permanently shut. After a struggle, she finally manages to pull them back and discovers dirty windows, a chipped sill, and a couple of interesting cobwebs.

There are numerous magazines stacked around the room. There is also a fireplace, but it looks less than appealing with a substantial build-up of ashes and one burnt log half-hanging off the grate. The carpet has a dark and unappealing stain. Further down the dim hall is a small powder room. It seems quite clean and tidy.

Perhaps the Blanks have forgotten that it’s there. The dining room is interesting, however the Hopefuls are rather surprised to see that the table is covered with maps and little bits of scribbled papers, (perhaps the Blanks are planning a trip?). There is a buffet crammed with dishes, six chairs scattered about, an old stereo unit against one wall, a wonky high-chair, three unmatched serving tables, what looks like some lawn furniture, a dog bed, and ten potted plants all in various stages of disease.

Happily there is a sliding door onto a deck. But the lock is broken and it would appear that the dog has clawed his way straight through the screen.

Would the Hopefuls care to view the upstairs bedrooms? By now, they are not surprised at the worn stair carpeting or the fact that the railing is wobbly. The only things on the wall are fingerprints. Mr. and Mrs. Hopeful have pretty much given up trying to imagine themselves living in this house.

The master bedroom is small, but adequate. The exercise bike in the corner seems a bit out of place though. The closet reveals a jumble, but nothing like the entry hall closet downstairs. It is quite evident that Mrs. Blank has a passion for shoes … which have been tossed and hurled everywhere.

There is quite a pleasant little ensuite bathroom with a vanity covered in pill containers and cosmetics. In fact, there are so many pills, Mrs. Hopeful begins to worry that there might be something seriously wrong with both the Blanks. Otherwise, only some recaulking and mildew to remove!

Next, they are shown the first of two smaller bedrooms. This one obviously belongs to the youngest Blank, who certainly does not lack for toys. Toy management, perhaps. But not toys! Stuffed animals, dolls, parts of a doll wardrobe, a disrupted tea set and bits of chalk pieces are strewn around. Someone has attempted to make the bed. The Hopefuls think it best not to look in this closet.

They are warned that the other bedroom belongs to the older Blank child. The door is badly stuck but with some shoving, it opens to reveal a dark and cluttered interior. There are posters of strange people plastered across every inch of wall and straight across the ceiling. The bed hasn’t been made for the past three years. The Hopefuls figure that the closet must be empty since all the clothing is heaped on the floor and protruding from under the bed. There are five empty drinking glasses, long forgotten on the windowsill, and the carpet looks as though it is made out of CD and DVD cases.

The upstairs bathroom is completely chaotic. First impressions? The shower curtain is pinned back to the wall with thumb tacks. Towels have been dropped at random. Globs of toothpaste are stuck to the sink. There doesn’t appear to be any soap. And someone’s dirty clothes missed the laundry basket by about two feet.

Finally, the kitchen. That smell the Hopefuls first noticed is definitely stronger. It seems to be coming from under the sink. Yes. The Blanks have failed to remove their garbage.

The stove is dirty and appears to have some parts missing. The refrigerator is okay, but plastered with photos and drawings. A rude remark is scrawled on a notice board. The counters are covered with appliances and gadgets and bowls … and mail and school papers. The windowsill contains a baseball, an earring, and a broken pot with a wilted flower. The sink has definitely seen better days. And the dog must have still been munching on its food while drooling his way towards the back door.

Mrs. Hopeful can’t imagine having her friends over. Mr. Hopeful just wants to leave. No, he isn’t interested in the basement. They aren’t interested in the house.

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The Best Case Scenario!

What Mr. & Mrs. Blank failed to realize is that potential buyers connect (or disconnect) emotionally with a house. The feelings that are generated when theyfirst see your home from the curb, and then when they step across the threshold … those “first impressions” are extremely powerful.

It is the seller’s goal to create an atmosphere so inviting that buyers are already imagining where to place their furniture, before they have even completed the tour of the property. “The bathroom is so sweet – it doesn’t matter that it is only the size of a closet!” “The kitchen is so warm and inviting – I’m sure we can survive without a dishwasher.” “I know we can squeeze our bedroom furniture under these slopingceilings – after all, that’s part of the home’s history.”

Remember being captivated by professionally decorated model homes? Each room was intentionally laid out like a stage setting. Nothing seemed out of place. Everything was carefully chosen to pull you in and satisfy your senses. Theysucceeded to fire your imagination and make you dream about how pleasant it would be to actually live, entertain, and raise a family within those walls .

With this in mind … let us take another look at #22 Maple Avenue.

#22 Maple Avenue Revisited: The Best Case Scenario - Sold!

After months without a single offer, Mr. & Mrs. Blank decide to take action. They diligently repair, clean and create little “finishing touches” in each room.

Meanwhile, Mr. & Mrs. Hopeful still haven’t found the perfect house. They drive once more past #22 Maple Avenue and think they are hallucinating on too many cups of coffee. Immediately they arrange to see the Blank’s home again!!

The Hopefuls return and this time do not have any trouble parking in the driveway … which is empty of all vehicles and looking very spacious. Once out of his car, Mr. Hopeful realizes that the oil blob is gone and there doesn’t appear to be any additional drips anywhere.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Hopeful is admiring the new paving stones in the walkway, the trimmed shrubs, and the charming little garden of white flowers under the maple tree. Wood chips have been added around the base of the other trees on the front lawn. The grass has been recently mowed, a garden hose is neatly coiled, the bike is out of sight … and all dog debris has been collected and removed.

Mr. Hopeful pauses for a moment to get another overall view of the front of the Blank’s home. The shingles are replaced, the eaves troughs repaired, and the Christmas lights are down. Bright blue shutters have been added, and there are new window boxes brimming with pastel flowers and green ivy. He joins his wife on the porch.

The pots of dead flowers have been replaced by a spotless white swing glider filled with yellow and white striped cushions. There is a shiny brass doorknocker, a bulb in the porch light, and the front door has been painted the same bright blue as the shutters. The Hopefuls feel a sense of excitement as they hear the doorbell chime.

After a moment, they are welcomed into a bright and cheery entry hall. The Hopefuls notice several immediate changes. There is a polished mahogany table featuring an arrangement of white, silk hydrangeas – and a colorful little basket to hold the day’s mail. The walls have been painted a cream colour to give the entry a feeling of light, and the Blanks have hung a tall mirror at the far end to give the illusion of depth to the small space.

The closet contains only spring coats and jackets and there are actually empty hangers.

And what is that smell? Coffee brewing in the kitchen?

They are led into the living room. Classical music emanates quietly from a hidden CD player and seems to float around the room. The Hopeful’s are simply enchanted. Mrs. Blank has obviously been busy. There are new pale green tie-back curtains revealing sparkling

windows and the lovely old maple tree in the front yard. A comfy armchair, with woven cushions, has been placed next to the window, in the sunshine. Beside that is a small table with a reading lamp and a basket containing Mrs. Blank’s colourful embroidery.

The coffee table is no longer covered with plates and pop. Instead there is a glass bowl filled with yellow and orange dried flowers and a sumptuous book on “Gardens Of England”. The sofa and chairs are pulled away from the walls and now form an intimate grouping in the center of the room. The fireplace has been cleaned out for the summer, and a pretty arrangement of birch logs lie on the grate.

Mr. & Mrs. Hopeful are beginning to mentally arrange where to place their furniture. They feel sure the piano will fit in somehow and can just imagine how lovely their collection of Victorian plates will look over the mantle.

Leaving the living room, the Hopefuls move eagerly down the hall, taking a moment to peek into the small powder room. It has been completely done over in white -white walls, white accessories, white towels, a white dish with white soap, white curtains and a little white mat on the floor. The only color comes from a small arrangement of scarlet red geraniums on the counter. The Hopeful’s can’t believe it. And this was the good room!

Can the dining room actually be the same place? Mr. & Mrs. Blank have removed everything except the buffet (which is now lit with an interior light), the table, four chairs, one serving table and three ferns in hanging copper pots. And … the dining table is elegantly set for four people. Delicate white china, sparkling crystal, silverware, and another magnificent arrangement of silk flowers, this time picking up the cream and rose colors in the new curtain valance over the sliding doors. Mr. Hopeful checks and both the lock and screen have been repaired.

The Hopefuls actually notice the backyard this time. There is a large wooden deck … complete with pots of flowers, inviting white wicker chairs, a colorful set of croquet mallets and balls tucked away in the corner, and a garden that’s spilling over with well-tended flowers.

Mr. Hopeful notices a hammock at rest under the shady oak trees, and a brightly painted bird feeder that seems quite popular with a group of little birds. He envisions himself lying out there and watching the summer clouds. Perhaps the Blanks might sell the croquet set.

Next come the upper bedrooms. The worn carpet on the staircase has been taken up and now the natural wood of the steps and risers is polished and shining. The railing has been securely anchored and, instead of fingerprints on the wall, there is a collection of framed floral watercolors.

By now, Mr. & Mrs. Hopeful are positively mesmerized. They step into the master bedroom. The room appears to be much larger. Mrs. Blank has purchased coordinating bed linens, comforter, pillows and matching curtains for the window. The room is floating in a print of small violets and rosebuds. Instead of the exercise bike, there is an over-stuffed armchair with a cloud of lace pillows. A new hope chest has been added at the foot of the bed and an interesting collection of hatboxes decorates one corner. Not a shoe to be seen.

The ensuite bathroom has been wallpapered to blend in with the bedroom and is sparkling clean. There is a new shower curtain and matching towels. The vanity displays only a dish of pretty soaps and a little collection of delicate seashells.

The younger Blank’s room demonstrates a healthy dose of crowd control. There are red, yellow and blue net hammocks hanging from the ceiling, containing the vast array of stuffed animals. All the dolls are sitting quietly in a row on a steamer trunk, as though waiting for their picture to be taken, and the chalk is back by the blackboard.

One little table shows off the tea set, and there is a bear sitting in each of the two chairs, eagerly waiting to begin the formalities of drinking the tea. A magical wallpaper border of blue sky seems to float around the room and the bed is made. Mrs. Hopeful is thinking about her granddaughter visiting.

The older Blank’s room … well, there is now a sign on the door, which reads, “Condemned”. The Hopefuls decline to look inside.

The second bathroom is greatly improved, although still a bit “rustic”. It appears that Mrs. Blank’s main objective is to just try and keep it clean. However, the laundry basket has been removed … along with that peculiar shower curtain. Mr. Hopeful thinks the room seems brighter. But, perhaps there is simply less in it.

By the time the Hopefuls reach the kitchen, they have mentally bought the house. They can hardly take in any more, they are so excited – and worried that someone else might be placing an offer ahead of them. They can’t help but marvel at the changes that have been meticulously carried out by Mr. & Mrs. Blank.

Even the kitchen has been cleaned, polished, and swept. All appliances are in one piece and working properly. The counter is empty except for an open cookbook, a beautiful cutting board and a white china bowl of oranges and bananas … oh, and a coffee-maker brewing fresh coffee. Laid out on a tray are three mugs, cream, sugar, and a plate of fresh cookies for the guests. All the clutter has been removed from the refrigerator, the windowsill only displays a ceramic pot filled with tumbling ivy, and the kitchen table has bright red placemats. There are matching blinds in the windows. The dog is apparently eating somewhere else these days and posted to the notice board is a list typed up by the Blanks containing all the reasons why the Hopefuls will enjoy living in this house.

Mr. Hopeful takes a quick look down the basement, and reports back that it is sound, dry, clean and everything seems to be in working order. He also describes a cheery little laundry room.

The Hopefuls buy the house that day for more than they would have paid, if they had been desperate enough to purchase it originally. By making these changes, the Blanks were able to meet their moving deadline. They received a larger offer than what would have originally transpired, and any new furnishings, linens, towels, drapes and accessories will look fabulous in their new residence.

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