Bankrate.com recently featured a list of the top ways buyers back away from a home listed for sale. Its list includes these items, among others:
1. Dirt: This is the No. 1 biggest mistake for not getting your home in the best possible condition. Instead of focusing on the beauty of your home, buyers will instead focus on the dirt. It is very important to have a clean home so buyers won’t get distracted.
2. Odors: Odors are another big concern for buyers. An odor can cause a buyer to not view your home. When your home is on the market, be mindful of the types of food you cook as the smell can be absorbed into the curtains and upholstery. Your curtains and upholdstery should be cleaned especially to remove pet and smoke odor.
3. Old fixtures: Changing the old fixtures in your home can make a huge difference. Simple solutions such as changing an outdated ceiling fan and light fixtures or replacing cabinet hardware can go a long way in improving the overall appearance of your home.
4. Wallpaper: “When buyers see wallpaper, they think of another thing to add to their to-do list”. It is very unlikely that the potential buyer may like the wallpaper you picked out.
5. Popcorn acoustic ceilings: “These ceiling were popular in the 1960s and 1970s but now can date a home. Still, it can be a mess and costly to remove, so real estate professionals say sellers may need to be prepared to credit a buyer in certain markets if they decide to keep the popcorn ceiling when selling a home. ”
6. Too many personal items: A cluttered home makes it difficult for buyers to envision themselves living in your home. Sellers should decorate the house to sell, therefore, they should remove some of their personal belongings so potential buyers can see past these items.
Source: “10 Ways to Turn Off a Would-Be Homebuyer,” Bankrate.com (June 10, 2013)
What other ways do you think a home can turn off a potential buyer?