subject: Homebuyer Turn-offs [print this page] After much consideration, you've decided to put your home on the market. You've taken care of all the little things like fixing loose base boards, cleaning the windows, and clearing away clutter, but for some reason your house just isn't selling. It could be the market, or it could be that your house is suffering from one or more of these dreaded homebuyer turn-offs:
Dog in the Yard
Most people don't realize that, to others, their gentle, beloved family pet can look like a bloodthirsty, man-eating beast. Leaving your dog in the yard gives rise to many problems, the least of which is the "mess" Mr. Fuzzy can leave behind after you've left the premises so a potential buyer can view your home. The biggest problem with leaving the dog at home during a showing is that some people are are allergic and others are so mortally afraid of dogs that they'll refuse to even set foot in the yard if your canine companion is there. Why not take your pet out for a walk when you are expecting a buyer, or better yet, let him tag along in the car while you run some errands; it could make the difference between selling your house or having it sit on the market for another few weeks.
Odor
It is a fact that people, for whatever reason, cannot "smell" their own house. Think of times when you've walked into someone else's house and their unique "home smell" hits you in the face like a brick wall. You ask "what's that smell?" and, inevitably, they respond "I don't smell anything". Chances are, people who are walking into your house for the first time will notice your home's smell (which you can't detect because you are so used to it), so you want to make sure it's a pleasant one. Make sure that you shampoo carpets, especially if you have pets, do your dishes and laundry, pour white vinegar down your drains, and don't cook anything that smells strongly, for example fish or curries, while you're showing your house. Most importantly, do not smoke inside or leave ash trays lying around. Add some flowers to each room, crack open the windows and voila! Your house is scent-neutral and inviting.
Dim Lighting
When people describe terrifying places, they use descriptions like "dark", "dingy", "gloomy"or "pitch black". Now think of your house, are the hallways and rooms of your home-especially the small or narrow ones- brightly lit and welcoming or are they going to make potential buyers feel like they're about to live out a scene from "The Shining"? When it comes to this turn-off, basements are the worst offenders; sellers often neglect to change lightbulbs or clear away old furniture or boxes, forgetting what it might look like to someone seeing it for the first time. It should go without saying that, if your home is frightening in its lack of light, people are not going to want to spend any time there, much less sleep there every night for years to come. Luckily, this problem can be easily fixed: open the curtains, install a brighter bulb,and add a coat of paint in a cheerful color and your house will go from alarming to charming.
You Refuse to Leave
Maybe your favorite show is on and you don't want to miss it, or maybe it's really cold outside and you just aren't willing to set foot outside; whatever the reason, you've opted to stay in your house while a potential buyer comes for a showing. Bad idea! You might think it's harmless because you intend to stay out of the way, but that doesn't change the fact that your visitors will feel uncomfortable the moment they realize you haven't left. The whole point of showing your house is to let buyers imagine themselves living there, but that's hard to do if your presence is reminding them that it's still your house. It might also come off as possessive and aggressive. Either way, refusing to leave means that potential buyers will spend less time looking at your house, thereby making it more forgettable. They may also form negative associations because of how unwelcome your lurking presence made them feel. Do everyone a favor and leave and your house will be far more likely to sell.
Don't sabotage the sale of your home. Anticipate the needs of potential buyers by avoiding these turn-offs and you'll find yourself shopping for a new home sooner than you think!
