Selling a Home? - 4 Things That Really Turn Buyers Off

I just returned from showing 8 houses to a new buyer. It was more of an exploration for the buyer to see what she liked & didn't like, but you never know if a buyer will see the "one" on the first time out. Now here's the thing, she's not real fussy, she is willing to do some things to make it her own (carpet, paint, countertops) & very polite. None of the homeowners were present, but I wouldn't need to worry that she would make some comment that would offend the homeowner.

But . . . here are some things she definitely did not like & colored her whole feel of the home. Like most buyers she needs that intangible thing - "the feel of the home" - to make a commitment to turn that "feel" into their own home.

Here are some of the things she observed today.

1. Smoke Smell - it's that smell that hits you the minute you walk in. "Someone smokes here - this won't work". When there is a smoker in the house, the walls start to build up a nicotine residue (yellowing), the carpets & window treatments become saturated, & if there are full ashtrays - it appears dirty. Sellers should, even before the first showing, stop smoking in the house, clean the carpet & window treatments & wash the walls & ceiling. Otherwise, many buyers won't even come in!
2. Bugs, Spider Webs & Pet Hair - the presence of dead bugs & spider webs in the corners looks like the home is neglected. The next question is, "what else is neglected?"
3. Clutter - overflowing closets, countertops, tables, unmade beds, personal pictures everywhere, and toys in every room & on every surface. . . it just looks like too much work to even begin to image where the buyers things would fit in. Buying a home is a very emotional experience. Many buyers, women especially, lie in bed & try to image where they would place the furniture if they bought your home. A home cluttered with your possessions makes that impossible.
4. Vibrant Colors - color is a very personal choice, it sets the mood & your mood may not match the buyers. Neutrals make it easy for buyers to image their furnishings in the home.