Hi all! As the title suggests we are first time home sellers and our house has been on the market for two weeks with five showings and an open house so pretty good traction for winter time.
That’s being said we have been scheduled to get lead abatement work completed for us by our county for months. It was scheduled to be completed by 12/08 before we listed the house but it got dragged until 01/09. We moved forward with listing the house because we just need to sell our home.
The lead abatement work has now officially started and my house looks like a construction zone. Plastic everywhere, a huge yellow sign on the door, missing a closet door, windows will be replaced. I wanted to continue showings with the proper containment but now that I see the work being done I feel like I’m unsure about and want to put showings on pause until it is done. I feel like first impressions matter and contractor work does not scream move in ready. My realtor is pushing (not in a mean way) to still have showings with proper containment in place because we have had to cancel three since the work started and that also doesn’t feel great.
I guess my question is what would you all do? I’m really torn. Should we continue showings with the right containments in place or pause for two weeks and reach out to interested buyers again once the work is completely done and clearances have been passed? This honestly has been really stressful for me and I’m just looking for some advice.
Selling Home & Lead Abatement Work
byu/Worried_Whole_2572 inRealEstate
Posted by Worried_Whole_2572
3 Comments
Honestly I’d pause the showings – buyers are gonna take one look at that construction zone and either lowball you or just bounce entirely. Two weeks isn’t that long and you’ll probably get better offers when it’s actually done rather than trying to explain why there’s plastic everywhere and a hazmat sign on your door
I agree with you. It’s looking like a toxic waste zone right now and that won’t result in any good from anyone who looks at it now.
Realtor here. I would pause all showings until clean up. You will be disclosing the work that is done. Your realtor will have names of all the interested agents looking to get in. Did any offers or interest come thru the showings you had or the open house? What was the feedback? If you are not in a major rush I would put on hold.