When to Consider Buying a “Diamond in the Rough”
Let’s face it. When you visit home during a scheduled viewing or open house, you usually see it at its best. The rooms are neat, the sinks are spotless, the closets are well ordered and well-groomed, and most of the time even the lighting is set to its brightest.
That’s just good old-fashioned marketing.
However, not every house you will see look this way. For any number of reasons, a home on the market may be less than tidy, awfully decorated, and sometimes may need of minor repairs and adjustments. You open the front door in expectation, only to be immediately disappointed by tint on the carpets, dimmed paint on the walls, scattered hallways, and more.
First impressions form quickly. It is just easy to have quick judgments and move on. But you can pass on what a dream home might be.
Do not make that kind of mistake. When deciding to purchase, make sure that you have carefully considered and based on your second impression, not just your first.
When viewing a house, you have to imagine how it will look with a new and fresh coat of paint, and the minor repairs completed, new redecoration and of course your furniture adorning the rooms. You might find that a home that doesn’t show well is a diamond in the rough.
(One caveat: You must be careful about homes that don’t look like they were well maintained. There might be some hidden issues that need expensive repairs or even renovations. Always make your offer conditional on a professional home inspection.)
There are benefits to buying a home that doesn’t look good. They attract less interest from other potential buyers and therefore less competition. The listing price may be lower too. The listing price could also be lower.