Easy Ways To Turn Off A Home Buyer!

The current "buyers market" makes selling your home even more difficult. Where in the past buyers were willing to forgive issues with your home, now they are unforgiving. In their minds they believe, often rightly so, there's another house around the corner and they do not have to settle! But despite these difficult times for selling that both buyers and seller have to contend with, you can sell your home! Provided, here's the catch, you make sure that none of the following issues hold back potential buyers!

1. No Curb Appeal. Simple things can make all the difference. Keep the lawns cut and edged. Mulch around the trees and in flower beds if possible. If you have children, put all the toys away. Toys are a real distraction and will not allow the buyer to appreciate your homes outline. If you have dogs, make sure all landmines are picked up. Buyer hate stepping into dog poop! If the house is dirty power-wash it. The porches should be de-cluttered and swept. Arrange your porch furniture in a welcoming manner. Strategically placed plants will create a welcoming feel. Make sure your front door & screen are in good condition. These are the portal into your home. The door will be the first close-up impression the buyer will have of the house. If it is dirty, peeling paint, cracked or has broken window panes, the buyer will instantly get a subconscious feel that you have neglected the home and that there is a large potential for deferred maintenance. They will from that point, on be searching for problems with the house instead of appreciating its positive aspects.

2. Dirt. Plain and simple. Dirt will get a buyer to rush through a house and never give it a second thought. With the large competition of homes for sale, meticulous cleaning is one of the simplest things a seller can do to make sure their home is appealing. All floors must be clean. Counter tops should not have remnants of the last meal cooked in the house. Kitchen cabinets should be clean, inside and out. Tubs, toilets and showers should be sparkling. Grout should be clean and if needed re-grouted. Carpets should be cleaned or replaced if need be. There should be no reason for the buyer to think you have pets, due to pet messes like dirty litter boxes. I recommend a professional cleaning team go through when you first list, if cleaning is not your forte, with a periodic renewal. But no matter what, if the house is being shown you must be sure it is freshly cleaned!!!

3. Odors. I cannot tell you how many times I went through houses with buyers that have strong odors. As soon as my buyers detected an offensive odor, that was it. I could see it in their eyes and voices as we discuss the odors. This house was a no-go. Especially if it was due to cat urine. I cannot stress enough how important it is that the seller be impartial in evaluating their home for odors. I recommend sellers ask an out-spoken friend to go through the house, prior to going on the market to detect possible odors the seller has become immune to. If something is detected, it is very important the problem be addressed and solved. The top odors sure to turn off a buyer? Mold, urine, cigarette smoke, bedroom (!!!) smells, garbage and food related odors. Burning candles will not completely mask odors, so don't try.

4. Clutter. Serious Sellers must begin to box up and remove their belongings. This includes pictures/photos of family and friends, or “kitschy” art in particular. Serious art works can stay, but portraits of Elvis painted on black velvet must go! Box up personal award trophies and plaques. The buyer often becomes distracted by them and loses their concentration on why they are there, to see the house, not to get to know the people living in it. All surfaces should be fairly bare. Kitchen counters should not have groceries stacked up, this indicates to a buyer there is not enough cabinet space. Bathrooms should be neat without too much paraphernalia on the counters, brushes, curlers, make-up all should have a home-out of sight. Childrens' and pet toys should be stashed. Clothes in drawers and closets. Closets should not be filled to the top. Have closets be half empty, indicating there is enough storage space in this home.

5. Dated Fixtures. This is indicated by old fixtures that are no longer in fashion. I do not mean the lovely 60 year old “real” crystal chandelier in the dining room. I mean the florescent pillbox light in the kitchen, or the bare light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Dated kitchen cabinet knobs and handles which have lost their chrome or are dated looking should be replaced. Faucets and shower heads should be updated especially if they have lost their shine. Taking care of these items is a small investment for the return.
   

6. Old Appliances. If the seller wants to get top dollar they must have newer appliances. This can become expensive so the seller has to weigh in factors such as the benefit of selling faster and for more money versus not replacing the appliances. Homes with new(er) appliances seller easier and faster than those with old old appliances. Rattling kitchen and bathroom fans will be discovered and frowned on. If my seller refuses or can't replace old appliances, I prepare my seller to accept a lesser price, or an eventual price reduction to compensate for old appliances.

7. Wallpaper. If at all possible, take wallpaper down and paint the surface. Wallpaper is generally out of vogue. When my buyers see wallpaper they see work. The work of taking it down. This is actually discussed as we go through the house, how much time and effort taking the wallpaper down, will entail. Or the cost, if my buyer is not a do-it-yourself-er. So if the decision comes down to two houses, yours and one that does not need wallpaper removal, trust me, the buyer will generally pick the house with the least amount of work necessary upon move-in. Do yourself a favor, remove the wall paper and you will get a faster and better sale.

8. Acoustic ceilings, Popcorn ceilings and Icicle ceilings. These ceilings scream OLD! They sometimes scream COVER-UP! Remove these ceilings or prepare for a lower sale price or credit at close for removal.

9. Pushy & Controlling Sellers. This category has nothing to do with the house and everything to do with the seller. Unless a home is “For-Sale-by-Owner”, buyers and their agents do not expect the seller to be there and are irritated when they are. Especially if the seller insists on showing them the home, on telling them all the details of the house-proclaiming the all the while this house is better than every other on the block. Sorry seller, you don't get to decide that, the buyer does. The seller who pushes the agent out of the way or interferes with them doing their job, does not get their home sold easily. Buyers want to talk candidly with their agent as they go through the house. They do not feel they can with the seller standing there, or if sellers are with-in earshot. Another issue buyers sometimes come across, people just lounging around the house as the buyers go through. This really creeps the buyers out and they generally can't get out of the house fast enough. No sale here! Sellers listen to your agent whom you hired to sell your home. If they tell you to leave while it is shown, do so! If you don't, this becomes a signal that you are not a motivated seller, and gives my buyer another reason to not put an offer in.

So there you have it, these are some of the issues that are generally easy to fix, but surprisingly often are not. I have not pushed for big ticket items such as new kitchen and baths, vinyl siding, new windows and such. The reason being, you will not get your full investment back doing these updates. The housing market is very competitive right now. Do yourself and your agent a favor, look at this list and see if there is anything you, the seller, can do to get your home sold. An agent can only work with what they are given. Best Wishes that your home sale is quick,and easy!