Avoid Potential Turnoffs for Prospective Home Buyers

If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need to look at the house through the eyes of a buyer. That can be hard to do, and putting yourself in the buyer’s shoes can be a tall order.

From unpleasant odors your own nose has learned to ignore to repurposed spaces you have come to love, some of the most common things can dissuade would-be buyers. Ignoring these potential turnoffs will greatly reduce the appeal of your home and cause it to linger on the market longer than it should. Here are eight things potential buyers might hate about your home, and how you can fix them before they show up.

Repurposed spaces – Have you transformed your garage into a playroom for the kids or turned your spare room into a home office? If so, prospective buyers could be turned off. It might be a good idea to return those spaces to their original purpose before putting your home on the market.

Clutter – Clutter is always an eyesore, and the sooner you clear it out, the better. Buyers may assume that your home lacks storage space when they see toys and other items strewn about, so clean up now before you schedule that first showing.
Overflowing countertops – Stunning countertops can be a real selling point, but not if buyers cannot see them. If your countertops are overflowing with appliances, it is time to put them away.

Hobby rooms – As a fisherman, you might love your fly tying room, and an avid reader may enjoy their huge library room. Buyers, on the other hand, could be deterred by these purpose-driven spaces.

Holiday décor – Selling your home during the holidays can be a smart move, but some décor can be distracting. Now is the time to skip the tacky lawn displays, so take the reindeer off the roof and stash them away until you move into your new home.
Pet odors – You love your pets, but would-be buyers may not feel the same. Pet odors can be a red flag for home buyers, and open house attendees may spend their time looking for soiled carpets and other pet damage.

Area rugs – If your home has hardwood floors, covering them up could be a huge mistake. Area rugs can look tacky and may potentially dissuade would-be buyers. Even worse, those potential buyers may assume that the rugs are hiding damage to those stunning hardwood floors.

Inadequate lighting – If you have been thinking about upgrading the lighting in and around your home, now is the time to do it. Darkness is a big turnoff for home buyers, and a smart lighting upgrade could increase interest and lead to more offers.

Selling your home can be stressful, especially when buyers show up in droves but fail to make a single offer. If you have been showing your home for months with nary a nibble, it is time to take a hard look at your property and what you might be doing wrong. Correcting the eight items listed above could turn things around, so your next open house will be your last.