Sellers: Don’t Take It Personally
This is difficult, and we get it. When you’re a seller, it can be hard to hear buyer feedback about your home. You love your home. You feel personally connected to it. Or at least you did at one point, which is why you chose it in the first place. Or maybe you still love the home, but it no longer works for your family or lifestyle. Regardless, if you’re selling your Baltimore home, it’s time to move on.
Buyers say all kinds of things when looking at homes. Really. They can be completely unfiltered and at times outright mean. Why? If they aren’t interested in buying the home, they will typically share their honest opinions because of the anonymity of the situation [people can be so judgy].
On the flip side though, sometimes a buyer who is super interested in a home will be brutally honest, and you might not like what they have to say. But take this as a good sign, because those buyers are starting to picture themselves in the house and enjoy talking about all the things they don’t like… not that it’s all bad; it just might seem that way to you, the seller.
So the buyers don’t like your choice of kitchen cabinets, so what? They think your bedrooms are too small… that’s never bothered you before. They prefer a different Baltimore County elementary school - you felt differently when you bought. They want to renovate the basement- who cares?!
One of the best pieces of advice we can give to our sellers is to try to detach yourself from your home as soon as you list it for sale. Start thinking about your new home, or your next plan, and don’t worry about the agent who says that the roof looks like it needs to be replaced or the basement has a “funny smell.” These things should not personally offend you. After all, no house is perfect - we promise you that is true!
This advice also goes for our staging recommendations. You may not like the furniture arrangement we suggest for your family room, or the color we recommend painting your foyer. You might feel like we are trying to make your house feel “sterile” and “bland” but we actually know what we are doing!
And guess what? It won’t be your home for much longer- you are moving on to your next chapter and it’s our job to get you there- as quickly and seamlessly as possible. So please, don’t take it personally.
Remember The Beliveau Group is your resource for all things Baltimore real estate: buying or selling, investing, and educating you on all aspects of the Baltimore metro area to make the best real estate decisions you possibly can.