5 Things that May Turn Buyers Off When Viewing Your Home

by Jess Lex

You’ve probably all walked into a home at some point and had an immediate negative reaction to something about the house. This can happen with buyers as well. So what are some of the things that can turn buyers off and make them want to say “no” to a house right away?

Smells - Whether the smell is a negative one like pets, smoke, or dirty garbage or a positive one like a really strong air-freshener, smells can really turn a buyer off. They will wonder if that smell is something they will be able to get rid of and how much work it might take. In the case of a smell such as a strong air freshener, the buyer may wonder if the seller is trying to mask another unpleasant smell in the home. When selling a house, try to keep smells as neutral as possible. If you’ve gone nose blind, invite someone over who doesn’t spend much time in your house to give their honest opinion on the smell of your house before listing it.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Projects - If you have the skills to work on your house yourself, why not do it? Some folks may be more skilled than others in doing things themselves. But not all DIY projects are created equally. For example, doing poor quality electrical work can be a liability when it comes to a home sale. It may get you in trouble during a home inspection or malfunction after a sale, resulting in lawsuits. At the very least, it can cause the buyer to question the state of the entire home if they see a poorly done cosmetic project.
Clutter - Many buyers can’t see past your things to see the size and features of a house. For best results during a sale, consider decluttering and consulting with a stager to maximize the look and feel of your house.
Expensive Maintenance Items - Most buyers prefer move-in-ready homes. Large projects like new windows, roof, and water damage remediation can scare away many buyers. If you have a large project that needs to be done on your home, consider doing that project before listing or offering a closing cost credit up front to make stomaching the project a little easier for buyers.
Dirt and Grime - If your home is dirty and needs some polishing, it will be super important to clean it (or hire someone to clean it) before selling. It can be really overwhelming to buyers to think about doing a deep clean on a home for someone else’s dirt.

If you’re thinking about selling and would like to get a professional opinion on the presentation of your home, let me know! I’d love to walk through and give you my honest thoughts of the state of your home. I think it’s really important for sellers to hear about the cons of their home from their real estate professional before hearing it from buyers. Then adjustments can be made ahead of time, when your bottom dollar is not on the line. Reach out and let’s set up a walkthrough of your home today!