After finally saving up enough money to use as a down payment, I decided that it was time to hit the market. I met with a lender, got pre-approved for a loan, and then started visiting different properties. However, I quickly realized that I didn't know as much about real estate as I would have hoped. I wanted to find a great neighborhood and know what to ask the professionals, but I could tell that I needed a little help. To point me in the right direction, I started working with a great real estate agent who was familiar with the area. This blog is all about educating the general public on real estate matters.
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As you tour homes for sale this spring, it is important for you to look past all of the staging tips and tricks used to fool your eyes into seeing the advantages of a home and ignoring its disadvantages. Taking the extra time to look objectively at homes that you are interested in potentially buying will ensure that the house that you purchase does not come with hidden flaws that you overlooked in your excitement.
Here is a room-by-room breakdown of deceptive staging techniques that you should watch out for when you are shopping for your next home:
The Kitchen
The first place you should look for deceptive staging is in a home's kitchen. Since replacing old kitchen cabinets is an expensive undertaking, many people opt to resurface their old cabinets or only replace their doors. You can spot the signs of this being the case by opening the cabinets and looking for patched holes from old hardware or a difference in the color of the woods used in the cabinet doors versus the cabinets themselves.
The Bathrooms
Since bathroom remodels are expensive projects, many home sellers will look for ways to save themselves money. Some of the most common things that you should watch for in bathrooms you inspect are:
In addition, you should take a moment to picture how you will use the bathroom space and where you will need to store your toiletries. Even the best looking bathroom is pretty useless when there is no counter space and nothing but a small medicine chest to store your products. Check all bathrooms to make sure you can enjoy their look and function.
The Bedrooms
Especially in older homes, bedrooms can be very small or oddly shaped spaces. There are some sure signs that a bedroom has been staged to appear larger than it actually is, including:
In addition, bedrooms are often staged as an office or nursery space so that you won't notice that they are too small to hold a standard queen-sized bed.
By watching for these deceptive practices, you can ensure that your next home fits the needs of your family and is exactly what you thought you were purchasing.
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