I wish that I had my camera out for the showing of this new construction home. But, I did not so I will have to fill you in on how NOT to sell your investment flip.
My buyers are a young couple who are serious about buying. They sold their home and are set to close in May. We (meaning them and I) have gone to every home from Whitestone/Bayside Queens to Williston Park, NY. We have our options limited because they want four bedrooms on the same floor, the home can not be a corner property and they have to stay in the Herrick's School District. So my inventory consists of 7 actual homes to show them.
After seeing all seven within a few days, they have put in an offer on a home. They are not ecstatic over it because the builder did everything wrong with the finish work. Let me give you some examples.
1.) Crown molding - would have been better without it. The joints don't line up and apparently staining the moldings while it is installed is NOT a good thing. The stain bled through the wood and onto the walls and ceiling. LOOKS horrible. OK, easy to fix but it is an eye sore.
2.) Kitchen Cabinets - note to all builders: cabinets are to be placed no higher than 52-54" not at 60"+ . This makes getting things in and out of the cabinetry very difficult. Also, when setting the marble back splash make sure that the cut edges are finished off - looks worse than it should.
3.) Banisters - When installing banisters please please, have a professional do it. There is a method as to how NO nails, brackets or screws are exposed. Let me tell you the silver L-Brackets looks terrible against cherry stained banisters - no, really... trust me its an eye sore!!
4.) Bathrooms - Carpentry 101 - the flange on the tub is not a guideline for you to START the tiles there. Its a device that prevents the water from seeping between the walls and this prevents water
leaks. TRUST ME - I am married to a contractor - I know things like this.
5.) Marble, Marble and Marble - Don't use it if it is stained. Really - just don't I don't care how much money you are saving, its something that is just tacky! Oh, and let me add that when cutting marble to install switches or outlets, use a tape measure and make sure that there are no open gaps. Definite eye sore!
6.) Oak flooring - You must have the planks sit at room temperature for more than an hour (like a day or so) because the oak needs to adjust and do its expanding while it is un installed. When you fail to do this the floor will have a higher chance of splitting. Doh!
7.) Pricing - Knowing that there are some areas that need to be fixed or redone the next thing that a builder who does not want to sell the home is to out price everyone.
Bottom line, the house is in the area that they want, in the school district that they want and the house has the layout that they love, not to mention the size of the rooms, they are huge. So they love everything about the home just not the finish work. Hopefully the builder will compensate for the punch list and work with us.
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