Does This Bother Anyone Else?

When I look at listings online and the pictures show SO much clutter/mess. I was just looking at a listing for a decent house and the dining room table was covered with empty 2 liter soda bottles, a griddle, papers, etc. It totally turns me off to a house when I see crap everywhere. I know they're things that wouldn't affect me if I was living there b/c I wouldn't leave my house like that but it just gives me the feeling that the house is dirty and completely turns me off. There have been a lot of listings where I've seen this...does it bother anyone else or am I the only freak? lol

Re: Does This Bother Anyone Else?

The house we bought was a mess when we saw it. We could sense that the sellers agent hated showing it bc of this, so we totally low balled an offer, the only offer in MONTHS, and it was accepted. I think the mess helped us get a great price.

Re: Does This Bother Anyone Else?

I agree - - it's relatively easy to remove clutter (at least temporarily) to take the photos. As a realtor, I will always clear off table tops, pile stuff up in the corner, make the bed -- whatever! -- to make the photos look good and get rid of clutter and stray items that distract from the features of the house.

It's so unnecessary! Not everyone has the time and desire and the money to truly "stage" a house, which is one thing, but just cleaning up and getting rid of clutter is free! Good photos are key given the role of the internet in the home buying process. Photos make the first impression.

I remember, when I was looking for my house, seeing photos of dirty boxer shorts lying next to the shower, unmade beds with dirty laundry in it, and animals sitting in the middle of a kitchen counter surrounded by food. Those photos are burned in my memory!

Re: Does This Bother Anyone Else?

When we were looking I thought that would bother me, but after the 3rd or 4th house that was a complete and utter MESS (i mean half eaten pancakes and syrup out on the table, ants everywhere, dirty dishes piled up) we got over it and learned to look beyond all that.

Our house that we bought was a foreclosure, hadn't been cleaned in about a year, dead roaches everywhere, bad smell and we still bought it. We saw the potential, well DH really saw the potential more than me. But it's nice now!