Remember the game “Rock, Paper, Scissors”? Two people make a fist, count to three and then reveal their hand to show they’ve chosen Rock (the fist), paper (open palm) or scissors (“v” made with the index and middle fingers). Rock beat scissors, scissors beat paper, paper beat rock…..
This game came to mind a few weeks ago when I was showing nearby homes. We went into one “funky” house, and while funky isn’t always a bad thing, this one was not only funky, but it smelled really bad. It was a smell I couldn’t associate with anything (which frankly concerned me….we usually can put a name to the bad smells right?). We were brave though, covered our mouths and rushed through the house. As we were rushing out the door, the buyer commented he thought it was funny they had gone to the trouble of setting up ongoing music (the house was vacant) as if that could someone overcome the smell.
And he was right; Bad Smell beats Sound every time.
There are just too many homes out there for buyers to choose from; they are in a position to be choosy. Pet odors, smoke, even too many air-fresheners or candles can turn a buyer off the moment they set foot in a door.
Unlike the Rock/Paper/Scissors game where no one element is omnipotent, in the game of real estate one factor does trump all others….PRICE!
