Sam asks….can you really buy a perfect home?
Sam Schneiderman, Broker-owner of Greater Boston Home Teamlooks at what it would take to make a house perfect, and how so few really deserve that description.
Sometimes I wonder if there’s such a thing as the perfect home (or condo). Let me explain.
Whether buyers see a home online or in an ad, many get really excited when they see pictures of a home that appeals to them. They have to run out and see the property immediately because they figure that it’s probably too good to last long on the market.
When they get there, usually they find out that the home is not quite all they were expecting. Maybe the floor plan is awkward or the rooms are too small. Maybe it’s on a main street or backs up to a bar. There are lots of ways that homes might not measure up to expectations. If you’ve looked at homes for sale, you already know that.
Sometimes a buyer makes an offer on a property that looks perfect, only to learn that it needs a lot more work than he bargained for.
In the Greater Boston area, most homes are more than 15-20 years old. That means that even the best maintained homes are likely to have heating, air conditioning systems or roofs that are getting close to the end of their life spans. Kitchens and baths are likely to be at least somewhat “dated” in appearance. Since many of the homes in our area are over 50 years old, they are likely to show signs of water, termite and/or structural damage.
When I’m with buyers, to demonstrate what I mean, I usually point to three homes. One will probably have an older roof. Another may need paint. I explain that another house of similar age could have a heating system that needs replacement. Another house nearby might have termites and some structural damage. The older the home, the higher the odds are that it has an issue or two….or three, etc. That’s before we get into a discussion about lead paint. (More on that in an upcoming blog.)
The reality is that unless they buy a new home, most buyers find that older homes need some work.
That brings us back to the original point. Even if a buyer finds the “perfect home” that needs work, it may no longer be perfect for them unless they have the cash or talent to get the work done. Buyers with remodeling skills or those with friends and relatives that have skills can turn a not so perfect home into one. On the other hand, lack of cash can turn a good home that needs work into a money pit that can drain financial resources and strain even the best relationships (for those buying with a spouse/partner).
Do you think that the perfect home exists on your budget?
What compromises did you make or will you make?
Let’s compile a list of how many ways a home can disappoint a buyer.
