Top SF Realtor POV: Help! Everything’s Wrong!

by Cynthia Cummins

Cynthia is owner and founder of Kindred SF Homes and a top San Francisco Realtor. Check out RealEstateTherapy.org for refreshing reflections on the meaning of home and for more “best real estate advice” (since 2013).

Reading time: 1 minute

A phenomenon that occurs when a property is nearly ready for market: Little details loom large. Tiny flaws show up in high relief. 

That’s because you’re getting down to the end. You’ve eaten the leaves and heart of the artichoke and now you’re noticing the hair-like choke.

The painters used Navajo White instead of Swiss Coffee.

The stager brought a loveseat instead of two armchairs.

The gardener cut back the bougainvillea too hard.

The for-sale sign isn’t up.

There will be imperfections and mishaps, but don’t give in to anxiety. In the big scheme of things, many details are insignificant and won’t detract from the overall impact the property will have when it debuts. 

Having not been through it previously it’s hard to know what’s most important. For example, the difference between two shades of white paint won’t make or break a staging. Yet after all the work, stress and expense of readying a house for sale, such a mistake may feel fatal.

That’s where your agent can help, to allay your concerns and help put things into perspective. He or she can reassure you about what is critical and what is not.

You can fix what matters. Meanwhile, don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Photo Credit: Julie Johnson