There is a lot of negativity going around these days in the housing market, especially in the press. You see images on TV of the insides of foreclosed homes that are in a mire of unkempt conditions. I personally have visited homes for-sale that have a lot to be desired and have thought to myself - How can these sellers expect someone to want their home when it looks (and smells) like this?
I personally feel like it is time for an attitude adjustment to change this negativity. A time where we start by doing a good deed. How you might ask? I look back to 1985 when I bought my very first house. The seller was an elderly single widow. After she moved out of the house and prior to me moving in, she had all the carpets cleaned. At the closing table, she said she did it as a congratulatory gift to me on buying my first home. She assumed I had to scrape most of my funds together to be able to afford the down payment and closing costs (and she assumed right) and that even though the house was nearly 10 years old, it would feel newer to me with the carpets cleaned. Ever since that day nearly 25 years ago I still remember her act of kindness to me (someone she had never met until the day of closing).
I am a graduate of The Ohio State University and one of the university's most notable persons is Woody Hayes. Many of you who are not familar with Ohio State, associate Woody Hayes with his fiery temper and antics on the field, which led to his firing as their football coach. Those of us that are graduates of The Ohio State University know him for much more. Woody spoke often of "Paying Forward" - that graduates of this great university with our great education that we received should Pay Forward - do something for others whose favor may not be returned but could possibly be passed on.
I know that I have passed on the favor the lady I bought my first home from. When I went to sell that home, I put fresh paint on the walls and had the carpets cleaned before the new buyer moved in. The ironic thing is that these actions also got me a higher selling price and a quicker sale in what was a depressed housing market at the time. I challenge everyone to take Woody's advice and think about paying forward a little bit when it comes time to sell your home. I think Woody's silent message is you actually get real value right at the time you Pay Forward.