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Kathy Streib,  Home Stager/Redesign

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Rainer
202,852
Sarah Lynn Jaskowski
Williamsville, NY
House. Home. Today.

I am more than happy and willing to help where I can and with stuff I feel comfortable with.  Like Gabe Sanders , I won't do repairs, but I will advise.  However, if a seller is fighting me on suggestions I wouldn't offer assistance.  That has never been the case, but how I would most likely respond to a negative seller.

Mar 26, 2015 09:43 AM
Ambassador
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I do whatever needs to be done. I've picked up dog poop, cleaned windows, cleaned garages (love those cobwebs), you name it.  I maintain vacant homes. Thankfully, in my market they are not vacant long.

When preparing a listing, I schedule and attend all inspections and manage all other work and repairs that needs to be done before going live on the MLS. I am as involved as is needed / necessary.

Mar 26, 2015 10:36 AM
Rainer
45,957
Andy Madrid
Hawaii Coast Realty, LLC - Kailua-Kona, HI
Expertise, Professionalism, and Service

Sometimes you just have to pitch in to get things done.  I dont make  habit of it but honestly in our market - the sellers stand to make alot of money.  But we have smaller properties that are on the lower end of the market and sometimes you just need to help out.  I always keep a roll of paper towels and window cleaner with me.  I might offer to coordinate a cleaning crew as well.

Mar 26, 2015 08:01 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kathy,

You said it all with these words "favorite agents".  It is the little things that make success.  One of our clients buyers had a baby two days after the people moved in, she delivered a meal for everyone at the house which included grandparents on both sides, friends etc..A

Mar 26, 2015 05:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,356,293
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

I have cleaned up dead critters, put legs on furniture, MOVED furniture, done my own staging, brought over decor from my home, cleaned dog poop, bought comforter covers to make the master bedroom look better...gee that's all I can think of off the top of my head!!

Mar 26, 2015 04:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,681
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Kathy -- it depends(I admit, it was my favorite response because it is the truth).

I can recommend people who can do all the things you describe but when it comes down to crunch time or some other issue you better believe that if it is necessary I step up and do the things that need to be done in order to get the property ready.  

Mar 26, 2015 04:17 AM
Ambassador
6,392,899
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I have a crew that does this type of thing for our rentals, if sellers need this I let them hire my crew for this.

Jan 10, 2020 10:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Kathy Streib - now that some one may consider 'above and beyond', I point them to right professionals from the list of my affiliates if they don't know any.

For repairs, I connect them with my inspector for a pre-sale home inspection and if we found something, connect them with different resources.

Mar 26, 2015 01:31 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Kathy,

It all has to do with the client, their age, and if they are in town or not...

Mar 26, 2015 11:54 AM
Rainmaker
666,539
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Kathy - It really depends.... but with that said, I was cleaning some hardwood floors earlier today that needed serious elbow grease.  I leave it as a last resort, working to have the sellers accept the responsibility and understand the need to get the home in proper condition, but I have and will likely fill voids that need to be bridged.  No actual repairs beyond changing a light bulb...

Mar 26, 2015 10:23 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have helped a few elderly people and one handicapped one do a few repairs.  They had no close family.

Mar 26, 2015 10:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Kathy Streib I used to get highly involved with these issues, but now I just have a list of capable people that can be hired. I do not want the liability and I am not paid to work as a handyman or house cleaner.

Mar 26, 2015 09:36 AM
Rainmaker
750,057
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

I help more on the other end. Such as a dump run especially if they leave something behind the buyer does not want left.

Mar 26, 2015 09:27 AM
Rainmaker
519,324
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

HI Kathy, 

As much as necessary, as little as possible.  If the seller is just working me for free labor, I'll do some. If there is a real need, I'll go as far as is within my reasonable capacity.  I've done lots for many clients, but I don't like to advertise that. 

Mar 26, 2015 09:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,333,600
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

And we make the beds, clean out the dirty dishes in the sink, and pick up the dirty clothes and throw into washer!

Mar 26, 2015 08:47 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I will advise, but not do the repairs myself.  I've done it in the past, only to break something and the seller made me pay for it.

Mar 26, 2015 06:39 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

With senior citizens, I usually get very involved. They require patience, and more time to let go of stuff, especially if they've been there 30+ years and raised their kids there. Newer homes with sellers who understand he process usually can handle most things themselves.

Mar 26, 2015 05:29 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If the seller is living in a state of denial. I do nothing.

If the seller is unable, for a myriad of reason, to make repairs or prepare, I will do what is needed to remove the suggestion of deeper issues. Very often the price point is so low there is no motive related to profit. 

I have painted exteriors prior to listing. Cleaned refrigerators and mopped floors prior to walk through. Bushwhacked back yard. walked dogs. Evicted bees captured snakes. Installed GFIs and boxed wiring above electrical panel. In one case, the circumstances required making the house look worse. That actually worked well. Installed hand rails and door hardware. Even replaced a perpetually running kitchen facet with a Delta single lever with a lifetime warranty. Yahoo!

I accessorized by installing a flag, purchased floor mats to protect sellers interior, installed wireless security camera to alleviate the fear of strangers coming to the front door.

I hate, hate, Hate, HATE doing windows. I make a dirty, translucent window WORSE!

Other than what is required, I do very little.

Mar 26, 2015 04:33 AM