5 Buyer Turn Offs

As a seller, you won’t be able to please everyone. There will always be potential homebuyers that turn away for one reason or another, and there is nothing you can do about it. However, these 5 buyer turn offs are easy to avoid and by following them, you’ll have a better chance of selling your home faster.

1. Odors. You already know that your home should look clean and decluttered and that you should spend time on home staging. However, powerful odors can turn buyers away just as fast as a dirty home. Bad odors such as cigarette smoke and pet odors, even in a clean home, will turn off buyers. If you’ve had a smoker in your home or have had an issue with pet accidents, eliminate those odors by any means necessary. Since we often get used to the smells in our homes, ask your real estate agent, home stager, friends or family members to let you know if they notice any strange odors in your home. Make sure your home smells fresh without being overpowering.
2. Temporary messes. Obviously, you will plan on showing a clean home, but potential buyers can be turned off by a few toys scattered on the floor, a few dishes in the sink, stacks of papers, or piles of clothes laying around. While these seemingly small, temporary messes may not turn every buyer away, they are distracting. Picking up before every showing is essential and will help buyers see themselves living in your home rather than seeing how you live in your home.
3. Wallpaper. You may have grown up with it, and you may even have modern wall covering that you believe is chic. However, the majority of today’s buyers want nothing to do with wallpaper. It’s difficult to remove, many people believe it is dated, it’s too personalized, and it’s just one more thing a buyer will have to change about the home.
4. Sellers who are present during showings. Do not plan on walking around with a buyer, giving them your opinion, input, or “helpful” information about the home. Buyers won’t feel like they can talk about the home if you’re there. Make sure you’ve covered all your bases by cleaning, staging, and creating an inviting atmosphere, and let the home speak for itself.
5. Too many personal items. When a buyer tours your home, they want to picture themselves living there. Decorating a place to live in is different than decorating a place to sell. Eliminate all personal items where possible, including photos, personal effects, and religious décor.

Cobblestone Realty is your number one source for Real Estate in the Jupiter Area and surrounding communities. Let us help you in your Real Estate Adventure.