Let’s just agree that I have shown over 250 homes this year… probably more but that’s enough.
Most have been professionally cleaned, painted, professionally staged, filmed, perfumed, and totally spiffed up.
Yes, these babies are ready for HGTV with the camera crew and snarky comments, ready to be added to Pinterest boards around the globe, and ready for a qualified, ready, willing and able buyer to see.
Yet, in my observations, close to 50% of them haven’t changed the furnace or AC air filters in the past year. Oy!
In many newer homes these filters are located at the return air returns (not at the furnace) so they are easy to replace. REALLY easy to replace.
Owners of new homes should replace filters monthly!
Those air filters are easily visible to the trained eye of someone who has looked at 250 homes with clients in the past eight months.
100% dust!
All that extra cleaning is now going to viewed a bit more sceptically because those buyers know the truth… you house was/is dirty and your HVAC system was probably working three times as hard as necessary to move half the air.
I am not an expert on HVAC systems, but I do own a vacuum and know it doesn’t suck up the dirt very well when the bag is full.
Get my point?
This is probably a tip for home sellers too. Take care of your HVAC system and change those filters because any smart home buyer will include a home inspection contingency… and a clogged up, neglected air filter may be the tip-off that there are other problems lurking in your house. Home Inspectors are looking for red flags…
So, take a look today and make sure you are keeping your house clean and cool.
