u/wehavetogoback8

Some advice I have to give from my house that just closed in May. Details MATTER way more than I think most people realize. I’m a little OCD about house renovation projects - I want it to be perfect (as possible). Before selling my house I dedicated about $5k to doing cosmetic updates. I REALLY took my time, so much so that everyone I know kept telling me “who cares! Don’t waste your time! Just get it on the market! Buyers don’t notice / pay attention.” Even my agent told me this!! But anything I do I like to do right, so I didn’t want to take a single shortcut. Again I didn’t do anything major, just paint, recaulk around the baseboards and kitchen, replaced a few old outlets / switches, got a new mailbox, deep cleaned the carpets, installed a new light fixture, a little landscaping, just cosmetic stuff. I was far under the $5k budget. I understand this could be a lot of work for some people, but for me it was probably 20 hrs of work total over 2 months.

Also (I’ll get hate for this) but I have security cameras at my house and watched the footage during the showings. SO MANY PEOPLE NOTICED MY ATTENTION TO DETAIL!!! For example, I labeled all the breakers with my label maker. I bought all new light switch covers and outlet covers (they are like $1 at Lowe’s). Multiple offers / convos from buyers to my agent mentioned that the “The previous owners seem so diligent”. Hint: I’m not THAT diligent, I just like things to be the best and look good. And not take shortcuts.

My house was pretty entry level, but I think this level of dedication was not really common in similar priced houses, so it made my house stand out from the competition. I was competing with mainly older “first time homeowners” houses and also cheap flips which are famously cheap / low quality.

Again, I am definitely not an expert or artisan, but I TOOK MY TIME and made it best I could, given my abilities and moderate budget.

Long story short we had 24 showings and 11 offers. And probably like 50 people through the 3 open houses. We sold for $80k over asking (WAY more than comps / what I was expecting). When I met the owners at closing, they said “you are so

I’m telling you…DETAILS matter because buyers care about details. Ignore anyone who says different.

Am I crazy for wanting to take my 05 Zuma 50ish miles (each way) to the beach? I’d take back roads the whole time. Iv never really gone more than a few miles from home!

29 yo gay male. I’m staying near time square and wanna do something fun! I have a day to myself! Any recommendations?