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10 Things Home Buyers Hate About Your Home
By Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Magazine on Sep 27, 2012
You’re in the market for a new home, and whether you need more space or less, you must first sell your present residence.
One might think that the slow housing marking would potentially have buyers pounding at your door, but this is not necessarily the case. Prices are steady at the moment and seem not to be plummeting any further. And while this can be good for you, home buyers are smarter and leerier these days. They are less apt to make hasty decisions and less likely to buy out of their range, which is partially what contributed to the great housing market collapse in the first place.
Houses are selling these days, but how quickly they sell is really up to you and your agent. The houses that move are those that are priced well. Today’s buyer is savvy and has done his research. Buyers also want a turn-key home that is immediately ready for them to move into. What they don’t want are…
1. Bad smells
Nothing is more of a turn-off than walking into a house that has a smell. Before you try to sell your home, walk through with a friend, a realtor, or someone you can rely on to give you an unbiased opinion. You will want to get rid of the source of any bad odor as soon as possible.
Pets are big culprits, especially cats. If you have a cat, kitty litters need to be cleaned as often as possible and kept, if possible, in a remote or out-of-sight location.
Wall-to-wall carpeting can harbor bad smells as well (especially if pets are present in the home). Clean all carpets professionally prior to listing your home.
If you have a fan above your stove, get in the habit of using it regularly and avoid cooking foods with particularly strong odors, such as fish, the evening before an open house or a showing.
If your basement smells dank and musty, consider purchasing a dehumidifier to clear the air of moisture and odors. If you can, pop some chocolate chip cookies in the oven, or maybe an apple pie now that it’s fall. While some smells are offensive to home buyers, some are very inviting!
2. A dirty house, especially bathrooms and kitchens
Having a house on the market is tough and hard work, especially when you have young children at home. If you don’t have time to clean your house daily, and really, nobody does, concentrate on your kitchen and bathrooms. Make sure floors are vacuumed and devoid of spills, crumbs, and dirt. Make sure counters are wiped clean and that there are no dirty dishes in the sink. Don’t hide things in the oven for a quick remedy. House buyers are nosy and will look in your oven and any drawer or cabinet that can be opened! Keep a set of clean, dry towels on hand for the kitchen and bathroom for showing purposes.
3. A messy house
This is really an extension of the last point. The average home buyer has a hard time looking past any sort of mess. Simple, easy efforts at organization can make all the difference. If you have children, you know that clutter is unavoidable. I am a huge fan of wicker baskets. They are inexpensive, efficient, and look nice in your home. Invest in a few wicker baskets as a quick way to stash toys when you don’t have time for an overhaul.
Laundry is perhaps the hardest thing to keep on top of and is the most time consuming. If you don’t have time to wash, fold, and put away your laundry on a daily basis, then pick up a couple more wicker baskets to stow away clean, folded laundry, so it doesn’t look like an eyesore. In the kitchen and in the bathroom, clear away bottles and containers. Bowls of fresh fruit and vases or pitchers of fresh flowers not only look pretty, but often make a room smell lovely.
4. Poorly lit rooms
No one wants to enter a dark house, especially someone who may want to buy your home. If a house is too poorly lit, the buyer may wonder what you are trying to hide. Replace dim or burnt-out light bulbs with bright, high-efficiency bulbs to brighten up your space.
If need be, pick up a few stylish lamps that will not only brighten your home, but will also add to your home decor. If you have big windows, take advantage of them. Make sure they are clean and make sure that drapes and curtains are not blocking the natural sunlight. When it comes to selling your room, lighting really can be everything.
5. Loud walls and busy wallpaper
Shhh! Most likely the person who ends up buying your home will not have the same taste and style that you do. They say one decorates their home for living, and one should re-decorate their home for selling. When you sell your home, you must remove yourself and your history from the overall picture. A home buyer wants to be able to envision him or herself in your home, not wonder about you, your lifestyle, and your family. You don’t want to distract from the task at hand, which is to sell your home. Tone down those bright and cheery colors and save them for your next home. Instead, use softer, more neutral tones like creams and off-whites that can make spaces like lighter, airier, and brighter. If your home is covered in brightly patterned wallpaper, you ought to give serious consideration to removing that as well. Potential buyers may be deterred by the paper, knowing what a colossal nuisance it is to remove.
6. Unkempt yards, untrimmed bushes
Nothing is more unwelcoming than pulling up to a potentially Haunted House! Make sure your yard is well mowed and that all bushes and hedges are trimmed. If you can, add to or fix up your landscaping with fresh or potted plants. The outside of your home is the first thing that will be seen. Let it be a great reflection of you and a great indication of what’s on the inside.
7. Wall-to-wall carpeting
If you can, remove the carpeting. These days home buyers are looking for hardwood floors throughout. Even if they aren’t in the best of shape, hardwood floors are much more appealing than wall-to-wall carpeting. If you can’t rip out the carpeting, please have it professionally steam-cleaned.
8. Neglected entryways
This is the first room everyone sees as soon as they pass through the front door. This is your greeting card. Let it be warm, friendly, and welcoming. A simple bouquet of flowers—it need not be elaborate—makes a lovely statement. Clear out closets, and make sure that stray shoes and other items are neatly put away.
9. Your pets
Many people are allergic. Many children are scared. Please keep your pets away from your home whenever possible.
10. You!
I’m sure you are lovely and you know your home like no one else, but a potential home buyer simply does not want you there, or anywhere nearby. If you remain at home, they won’t stay. They won’t linger and they won’t take their time to look around to get a proper look and feel. You will not be doing yourself any favors by remaining at home. Leave the selling to your realtor; that’s why, after all, you’ve hired him (or her!)
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