Homebuyers can be fickle and a bit snobby. You will see them turning their noses up at the smallest things simply because the house does not fit every point on a dream home checklist.
Once your house goes on the market, you essentially begin living in a museum that needs to stay perfect in case a last minute showing is scheduled. Making sure everything is in place and the staging will attract buyers can help ensure that the house sells fast so you can move on to the next phase. Open houses and private showings are inconvenient and intense for the whole family. If you do not properly prepare for it, odds are good you will not get any offers, or the offers will be for less than you wanted.
Not every home for sale will suit every buyer’s wish list or needs. However, home sellers can take steps to make their property more attractive to potential buyers.
The following are fourteen of the top turn-offs for home buyers you should avoid when putting your home up for sale:
1. Clutter
Decluttering is the first thing we recommend doing before you put your house on the market because it can have an enormous effect on the presentation. Clutter makes any space appear smaller, dirtier, and overall less appealing to buyers. While it’s easy to think buyers can just look past the clutter, it has a subconscious effect on how buyers feel in a space and actually distracts from the positives that are buried beneath it. When a potential buyer walks through the door – or first looks at the listing photos online – you want them to see their home, not your home.
Take the time to declutter the entire house, clearing off all the surfaces, thinning out the decor, and even paring down on how much furniture is in the home to encourage a nice, easy traffic flow and serene setting.
2. Carpet
While carpet reigned supreme for many decades, today’s homebuyer generally prefers hardwood flooring. They are very easy to clean and do not retain dirt like carpets do. Even newer carpet can appear dingy and cheap, especially in high traffic areas.
While lush carpeting feels great underfoot and keeps the room warmer during winter, the majority of buyers now want to see hardwood. They will always be in style, and work with any decor scheme.
3. Bold or Distracting Colors
As a seller, you might love a brightly colored house, but many potential buyers prefer homes with neutral colors. You may love the bright yellow accent wall in your kitchen, but a buyer can see it as unsightly. This does not mean that you have to paint every room beige. But consider painting rooms decorated in themes, in particular kids’ rooms done in bright colors. And consider painting the exterior of your home in a more neutral color that will appeal to a wider range of buyers.
4. Outdated Appliances and Features
Buyers do not want to feel like they time-warped to another decade when stepping into your house. Ditch the shag carpet, tarnished doorknobs, disco-era light fixtures and ancient ceiling fans. Something as simple as updating the cabinet hardware and doorknobs makes a huge difference. The same holds true for dated ceiling fans, light fixtures and kitchen appliances.
Homes that have old fans, lights, ovens, microwaves, ranges and dishwashers can really turn a buyer off. As the seller, you may be tempted to think that the buyers can take care of that but it is going to hinder you from getting the highest price possible for your home.”
5. Bad Lighting
The outside appearance of a home can be significantly enhanced by lighting. Illuminating front doors, garden paths and driveways can increase a home’s appeal during winter and in the evenings. Make sure your front porch and entryway are well-lit, and consider adding some outdoor lighting to highlight your home’s best features.
That holds true for the inside too. Most buyers are turned off by dark spaces because they feel smaller and less inviting. Allow as much natural light into each room as possible with the right window treatments and trim back plants or trees that could be blocking the sun. If any rooms do not have access to good natural light, install attractive artificial lighting to make sure each corner is well-lit. Bright, open homes always show better to buyers.
6. Evidence of Smoking
Smoking is a personal choice. However, many buyers are turned off when the home is permeated with the smell of cigarettes. When they walk into a home that smells of cigarettes, some buyers will walk away immediately. We have found that non-smoking buyers are very unforgiving when it comes to houses that smell like smoke.
If you are a smoker and planning to sell your house, stop smoking in it now. You should also start taking steps now to remove the smoke odor. Washing the walls is an obvious first step, but painting them may be necessary, too. Also wash or steam clean fabrics including drapes, furniture, carpet and the rugs.
7. Lack of Storage
This can be a deal breaker for some, especially if they are moving from a larger home. There may not be enough space to put all of their belongings or they may have to spend extra money on storage units.
It is important to organize your home before putting it on the market so that potential buyers can see the full potential of the space. If you do not have enough storage, consider renting a storage unit or using creative solutions like under-bed storage containers.
8. Lack of Privacy
One of the quickest turn-offs for any buyer is a lack of privacy when it comes to interior or exterior backyard space. So, if the neighbor’s window looks directly into your yard, or worse, into a bedroom, this can be a huge turn off for a potential buyer. For the most part, privacy issues can be overcome by planting a tree or building a fence. But lack of privacy is usually a red flag.
9. Pools
Do not be mistaken into thinking that your pool is a feature that will attract all buyers. Most buyers will consider a pool to be a major eyesore. This is especially true for above-ground pools which tend to leave dead spots in the grass. Even an in-ground pool is a huge turn-off due to the high maintenance required to care for a pool. Not to mention the liability involved with owning a pool. Having a pool can even increase the homeowner’s insurance premiums that the next homeowner will have to pay.
10. Converted Garage
If you have converted your garage to a home office, an extra bedroom, a personal gym or anything else, then convert it back to a garage. Do this before you begin showing your house. People want a covered parking space so that they have a safe place for their car—especially in areas where street parking is at a premium. Additionally, people often use their garage as storage space.
11. Popcorn Ceilings
The shag carpet from the ’70s was replaced long ago. But acoustic popcorn ceilings, another artifact of that era (and of the ’80s, too) might remain. They badly date your house.
If you cannot afford the cost or the mess to remove the overhead popcorn, be prepared to credit a buyer in certain markets in order to close a sale. The popcorn acoustic ceiling is a major, major turnoff to buyers these days.
12. Wallpaper
Wallpaper almost always looks tacky. Especially if it has been up there for the better part of the decade. Today’s buyer doesn’t want wallpaper, no matter how much your grandma liked it. Not only is wallpaper extremely personalized, it is also quite hard to remove.
13. Misrepresented Homes
Nothing angers buyers more than showing up to a home that was misrepresented in ads. Sellers use photos and words to make their homes enticing on the multiple listing service. But sometimes the words and pictures paint a false portrait. Sellers are going to paint the best picture they can but they need to be honest at the same time.
14. You
Along with the pets and kids, most realtors say the homeowners shouldn’t be around, either. It is usually best for homeowners to leave when potential buyers tour the house. Hovering or offering tidbits of information can make buyers feel uncomfortable and even be annoying. As the seller, it is hard to resist the temptation to walk around with the potential buyer and put in your two cents’ worth.
Find the Right Agent
First impressions still matter. Just like with curb appeal, the way you stage your rooms can make or break a buyer’s interest in your home, so it’s important to put your best foot forward. Be sure to add unique touches to make your home feel cozy and welcoming. These steps will go a long way toward helping your home stand out from the crowd.
Windermere’s community of real estate professionals is our greatest asset. We have experts in all areas of real estate, from your typical starter home to condos, luxury properties, and new construction. While residential real estate is the mainstay of our business, Windermere also has offices and associates who specialize in property management, commercial real estate, and relocation services. To further facilitate the home buying process, Windermere has affiliated partners in certain regions to provide mortgage, title, and escrow services.
Call us today with any questions or concerns. Our professional Real Estate Agents will help you through this exciting process. (951) 369-8002