https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:27:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/3#post-2503979 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 08:19:40 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2503979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Because our move is part of a relocation we only get a choice of two realtors. We meet both this weekend. One seems really eager to get the business and we talked at length last night. He was happy I already had a brag sheet. It was kind of sad to total up the money we spent on this house just for us to leave it. Surprisingly, the only thing he said we should switch out now are the chandeliers. I'm also taking the W/D and patio planters. I guess the point of keep the planters around is to highlight we added an irrigation system to the patio that can be used for watering four potted plants. He said it's not unheard of to take custom drapes, but I don't know anyone that sews to make them work in the new house let alone how to put them back up given the kind of rod we used.</p> <p>We're getting the house mulched and the windows cleaned. Depending on what the realtor says we may even get the driveway sealed. The roof was already pressure washed. Boy these things sure do add up!</p> <p>That realtor also uses a pro photog and does virtual tours. Before those things take place I'll have the donation truck pick up the baby stuff we were given, ugly brown couches in hubby's room, garage stuff we don't need, and excess clothes. </p> <p>My other big tasks will be to move stuff we store in the closets for convenience into the garage instead and clean out the fridge. </p> <p>Thanks everyone that contributed to this thread!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/3#post-2489169 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:47:29 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2489169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: due to the relo we may not show the house all the time with furniture in it. I have heard that empty homes sell for less. So I want to make sure any pics to entice buyers to take a peak look good enough that the offers are still good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/3#post-2489157 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:32:18 +0000 Kemma 2489157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: honestly, I think it looks fine! I might be the odd one out but I'm ok with things not being completely perfect when looking at houses because I understand that people are living there and I'm not buying their furniture or stuff along with the house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/3#post-2489144 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:21:53 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2489144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I can put the low dresser back under the art and remove the side table altogether and place the lamp on the dresser. That would make sure the window isn't blocked. When we moved in light flooded the room, but we planted a bushy palm tree to add some privacy from our neighbors and now the room gets a little dark. Moving the dresser will visually make the roI'm airier.</p> <p>The mirror can lean on the tall dresser and move into the bench's position. The bench can go elsewhere. Done &amp; done. TY </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/3#post-2489125 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:04:01 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2489125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Nice! I think lowering the bed could make the bed look less intrusive and maybe smaller. Or maybe take the footboard off if thats possible? </p> <p>I personally dont love walking in and seeing the side of the dresser. I think it kinda blocks the open inviting feeling of the room. If you can I would also remove the bench if possible since it seems like its not needed to "stage" the room. </p> <p>I wouldn't worry about the wall color at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/3#post-2489114 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:57:35 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2489114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took me longer to post, but DH is very clingy when he's home on the weekends. Here's the guest room, which I am very concerned about. I think the bed is too high because you cannot even see the headboard. The mattress is really deep plus the rails are on the top rung. I can have my handyman lower it. I had the artwork placed on the window wall since you can see it when the door is open. Initially I had the low dresser over there, but I moved it and now the art just floats on the wall. The other walls do not have anything on them, well the dresser has a silver mirror that leans against the wall. Do I need to add more to this so it looks finished? We aren't changing the color, it's the only bold color in the house (our master is a lighter blue), but would a buyer walk away from not buying it because of the color? </p> <p>What isn't pictured is a tall dresser next to the bed and dark scroll bench against the wall opposite the art. It all fits, but I could always move the bench to another part of the house to make the room more spacious. </p> <p>Thoughts are welcome.</p> <p>[attach=3033/16/o3skzz.600x337.20160309_164947.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484876 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 21:19:53 +0000 Tanjowen 2484876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved it when we were interested in a home and the owners left a nice sheet with the age of the roof, HVAC, etc., along with any upgrades done It was one of the things we did when we sold our house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484843 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 20:32:08 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2484843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: pS I don't think the things on the table look like clutter. It all looks professionally staged. And you don't want the rooms to be so cold and bare that someone can't imagining this as a "home". </p> <p>I agree with taking up any throw rugs you may have around the house (like in the kitchen or hallways) so that you can show off the pretty floors. </p> <p>Just personal thought, I wouldn't be afraid to set out a big pop of color somewhere. Like red flowers on the table or yellow lemons on the counter. Something that is bright and memorable (while still blending in). This isn't professional advice hair things that stand out to me when house hunting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484784 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 19:05:38 +0000 Anagram 2484784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: you are going to have a quick sale. Will your realtor hire a photographer? If so, leave your stuff as is, because they will move anything they don't like (like small appliances) before taking the photo. It all looks great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484761 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 18:33:57 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2484761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Full disclosure I took these photos to send to the GA realtor so she could get a sense of our aesthetic and what we are looking for. By the time our local realtor takes photos I will have a) everything perfect and b) the shots will be useful for a potential homebuyer. Thanks for the feedback, I'm taking notes on all the comments.</p> <p>@avivoca: that is a constant battle- DH has destroyed our couch by using the back cushions as throw pillows @MaryM: the round tray on the table holds my cookbooks, since it doesn't look good there maybe I can put it on the kitchen counter to add some color like @T.H.O.U.: suggested. The tray is made out of recycled magazines and colorful up close. @Chillybear: that pool cover needs to be tossed out once and for all, I will have to wait until there's another strong man or woman available to help DH take it to the curb.</p> <p>What will hopefully happen is that we can take some great photos of our house furnished, but move to GA before showing the house (empty). There's now way I can keep my house looking like this on a regular basis. Besides with a newborn I'd rather not have germs people in and out of the house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484551 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:56:56 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2484551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looks great! Since your counters are shiny and dark, I would maybe try to find one thing to leave on the counters to "stage" it and make it feel homey. A basket of lemons or a small vase of flowers. Give that counter some texture and break it up. Put the paper towel holder in a cabinet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484543 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:52:13 +0000 looch 2484543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love your home!</p> <p>Is there some other angle you can the photo from in the master? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484539 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:50:00 +0000 lioneyes 2484539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my professional opinion:<br /> -DECLUTTER! that includes taking small appliances off your counters, and putting away the majority of family photos (a few in nice frames is fine.)<br /> -Clean. No visible dirt, and no disorganized toys. Put away as much as you can, obviously you can have kids stuff in a kids room, but you don't want to look like you're busting out of the house.<br /> -Closets- make them organized. Color order is a nice touch. It makes them look bigger (huge plus) and sets your home apart.<br /> -Make all the beds tightly with straight pillows (and you can also karate chop them ;)<br /> -Lights on, shades open<br /> -Consider moving your furniture around, if it's not organized in the most logical way (ex: it might be a layout that works for your family to eat in the eat-in kitchen and use the dining/living as only a living room, but the house should show that there's a dining area.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484530 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:41:36 +0000 MaryM 2484530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would pack up about half the throw pillows and any afghans so the space looks more open. And probably half the stuff on flat surfaces too (photos, the thing in the middle of the round table, anything on the counters). </p> <p>You seem to have a lot of rugs that define spaces, would you consider taking them up for the time being? It might make the space look bigger and more open in concept to not have areas defined by rugs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484527 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:32:37 +0000 avivoca 2484527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Like others said, turn off the TV, clear your counters, and remove the pictures from the bedroom. I would also add in to smooth out the top back of your couch, it looks like it's wet (just my preference). I also think that the dining room picture is kind of dark, but that might be with the angle of the sun. You have a lovely home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484523 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:27:34 +0000 Chillybear 2484523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My only suggestion would be retake the shot in the living room without the TV on and get rid of stuff on the counter in the kitchen and shoot the kitchen from a 2nd angle too. Can you move the pool cover out of the shot in the breakfast nook? TREND only lets realtors post 25 pics but other sites (zillow, etc) you can post as many as you want </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484521 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:27:02 +0000 Mamaof2 2484521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I would turn off the TV and then take the picture </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484520 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:26:01 +0000 lilyann 2484520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Other than taking down the photos in the bedroom, I think it all looks amazing!! Great job :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484515 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:19:34 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2484515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p> [attach=3033/16/o3j4cm.337x600.20160304_132801.jpg] [attach=3033/16/o3j4cn.337x600.20160304_132509.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2484514 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:17:47 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2484514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok ladies here are some pics of our current home. I am going to rearrange the guest room later and will post that later. But, for now pick these apart- I want a quick sale! &gt;the realtor will make sure none of the shots are misleading, I'm just an amateur photog&lt; </p> [attach=3033/16/o3j49n.337x600.20160304_140642.jpg] [attach=3033/16/o3j49p.337x600.20160304_132833.jpg] [attach=3033/16/o3j49q.337x600.20160304_132016.jpg] [attach=3033/16/o3j49s.337x600.20160304_132108.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2482172 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 20:29:50 +0000 Greentea 2482172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I heard it is good not to have personal photos because people don't want to associate their possible new home with others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2482162 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 20:25:29 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2482162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: yes! We have been been living out of our cars the last few weeks! Every time we have a showing I pack the cars up with all our laundry 😂</p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I also put all remaining toys in a storage bin and whenever it's time to go, I just have to grab it and throw it in my trunk. Super easy! We have had as many as three showings a day &amp; have been very flexible with showing times, so I imagine you'll be spending lots of time at your moms! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2481951 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:39:54 +0000 gingerbebe 2481951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Basically it should look and feel like no one actually lives there. I want to envision my family and my stuff in the house. Take out as much furniture as possible, leave very little out on the kitchen counter, make all cabinets, closets, and storage areas as organized and spacious looking as possible. </p> <p>No personal photos or effects.</p> <p>Clean, new towels in the bathrooms, neatly made beds, SPARKLING clean bathrooms, especially tile/grout. If you have to recaulk something, do it. A spritz of Febreeze through the hallways should be plenty to prep the home.</p> <p>Just run this type of plastic runner through any high-traffic carpeted areas of your house if you're worried about shoes and dirt (but don't leave this stuff on the carpet for weeks at a time - the adhesive will come off on the carpet). If you have hard flooring, an entry mat should be plenty.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFT7FI/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687742&#038;pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&#038;pf_rd_t=201&#038;pf_rd_i=B01647B72C&#038;pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&#038;pf_rd_r=184C8B17GQ6K7G47YN1X" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFT7FI/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687742&#038;pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&#038;pf_rd_t=201&#038;pf_rd_i=B01647B72C&#038;pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&#038;pf_rd_r=184C8B17GQ6K7G47YN1X</a></p> <p>If you can dump some stuff into storage or at your mom's house to get it out of the house, then do it. Remove as much furniture as possible.</p> <p>Empty out your garage as much as possible.</p> <p>You can let your realtor know that you are open to including the TV in the sale of the home. I would not disclose the water damage since you've completely repaired it.</p> <p>Remove anything that you will want to take with you (i.e. the chandelier).</p> <p>Don't post those stupid photos where they try to stretch the picture out so the rooms look bigger than it is. Its a total turn off.</p> <p>Have the landscaping in tip-top shape.</p> <p>If you want to be welcoming, those tiny bottles of water and a basket of packaged snacks, like fun size candy bars or chewy granola bars (no crumbs) are fine. I usually took a water and DH usually grabbed a granola bar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2481913 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:00:05 +0000 Kemma 2481913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Empty the rubbish bins and take away the dirty laundry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2481888 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:44:19 +0000 simplyfelicity 2481888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Cat piss<br /> 2. Owners sitting on the couch </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2481887 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:44:07 +0000 Modern Daisy 2481887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If any member of the family (including pets) were in the house during a showing, clutter and overstuffed closets, too many personal items in common areas. Makes me feel like I'm intruding! I don't mind a list of things that aren't included in the sale because if you liked it you can take a picture and buy the same thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2481884 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:42:03 +0000 MaryM 2481884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Speaking of the bathroom, get new towels to have out just for showings. Don't have older, worn, less fluffy towels out. </p> <p>I think it's a great place to spend a little money, because then after you move, you can use the nice towels. It's not wasted money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2481882 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:39:48 +0000 psw27 2481882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the #1 thing is just declutter and then when you think you are done, take away about 30% more on top of that. The closets should be super neat and organized - I like to do color order for hanging clothes. And each rack should not be stuffed to the gills, because then people think you don't have enough storage. No bottles or razors or things in the showers. No personal pictures. And if you can put it in storage somewhere else, even better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2481841 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:08:26 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2481841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: ha oops I should clarify: if you have any personal items or toilet paper out on shelving or say on the back of the toilet or beside, put them away. Definitely keep your regular roll out on the dispenser! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/top-things-that-annoy-you-when-househunting/page/2#post-2481578 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 13:40:43 +0000 Happygal 2481578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I wouldn't eat the cookies either. I'm all business when house hunting! I did walk into a home that had music lightly playing and notes around the house pointing out different features and key points. It was a historic home, so there were some quirks. It was nice! </p>