Mary Mang

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5 THINGS THAT TURN HOMEBUYERS OFF

Posted On: February 19th, 2018 9:10PM

5 THINGS THAT TURN A HOMEBUYER OFF

5 THINGS THAT TURN A HOME BUYER OFF

 

Your house is on the market, and you think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread !!! You must now look at your house ” through a buyer’s eyes . Here are 5 of the MAJOR turnoffs a buyer encounters when looking at a home.

 

1.SELLERS THAT STALK

The best way to show your house is by putting it on lockbox. This will allow the buyer’s agent to show the house to the buyer, without you the seller in the house. You may think you are being helpful by pointing out your trophy collection, your stuffed moosehead or the mural of a seascape you painted in the den. The buyers are trying to visualize themselves in the house and how to undo some of the very features you find endearing.

Buyers like to have conversations, both with their mates and the agent while viewing your home. If you are tagging along, they do not feel free to discuss what they like and don’t like, and what changes they would make. Let them nit-pick on their own, serious buyers need to do this before making an offer.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AS A SELLER ?

Leave the house ! Even if you take a walk or drive around the block 100 times, it is best not to be there. If a buyer has questions on your house. he will find the answers through his agent.

 

2. DIRTY, CLUTTERED, & THE WORST —–SMELLY !!

Your job is to get your home noticed –favorably —above the sea of inventory out there. Some homes can make you cringe and want to run , not walk– right back out the front door. If a house smells like pets, smoke or old food, it is an IMMEDIATE turn off for the buyer. They do not want to see your underwear on the floor, sloppy housekeeping and loads of clutter and junk everywhere.

 

WHAT CAN I DO AS A SELLER ?

You as a seller have control over 2 things : The price you will ask ( hopefully a reasonable one ) and the condition of the house. Differentiate your home from the others by putting it in TIP TOP shape. Pre-pack up extra furniture, clothes & nick nacks. Open up curtains to shiny clean windows. Keep your kitchen spotless —-no dirty dishes. Remove small appliances and make your countertops spacious. Clean the bathrooms , floors, baseboards—you get the picture ! And by all means get rid of the pet smells !

 

3. UNREASONABLE SELLER EXPECTATIONS

Buying a house can be stressful in today’s market. A buyer must educate themselves about the lending process, short sales, foreclosures and neighborhoods. The last thing a buyer wants to do is argue a seller out of an unreasonable price. Most buyers won’t even look at a house that is overpriced. With the internet today, buyers are well aware of the value of a house . They don’t have time for a clueless seller who clearly thinks his house is valued more than it is. PRICE IS YOUR BEST MARKETING TOOL

 

WHAT’S A SELLER TO DO ?

Do your homework ! Get out and look at what’s for sale in your area & price range. Get a professional agent to come out and give you an opinion of what your house is worth. Don’t take it personally if the price is lower than expected.The agent is relying on documented comps and statistics.

Compare the amenities in your home with the competition. If your home is not in the same caliber as the others, don’t even think of asking a higher price. The buyer will just say ” next “ and move on to another.

 

4. UGLY OR IMPRACTICAL IMPROVEMENTS

Many buyers walk into a house with a recent remodel, only to find the seller’s taste vary tremendously from their own. It is hard for a buyer to envision tearing out new improvements . Keep in mind your tastes will more than likely be differrent from the buyers. Don’t expect the buyer to love the new countertops in that shade of pink you just love !. You may have just installed brand new carpet, but blue may be the buyers least favorite color. New home improvements that run counter to a buyer’s tastes are a big turn-off. Todays buyers are very frugal, and most cannot see ripping out brand new items on the basis of style—especially if they feel they have paid for them with the purchase price.

 

WHAT’S A SELLER TO DO ?

Check with a decorator or better yet a local broker or agent before making an investment. They can give you a glimpse of return on investment, as well as what buyer’s are looking for in home decor these days.

Best to spruce up your curb appeal , paint the cabinets and update just the appliances . Always keep the palette neutral when selling your house.

 

5. NOT ENOUGH PHOTOS, OR BAD PHOTOS


Your home will have a showing before a buyer even walks through the door—on the internet ! Good quality photos ( and lots of them ) will make your listing stand out. Little or no pictures will not get your home noticed. BAD photos are even worse ! Fuzzy photos, laundry piled up , unmade beds, clothes on the floor & dishes in the sink will NOT entice a buyer to look at your home. A picture Fido sitting on the sofa will not make a buyer run to make an appointment to see your house.

 

WHAT’S A SELLER TO DO ?


Your job is to get your home noticed –favorably —above the sea of inventory out there. Some homes can make you cringe and want to run , not walk– right back out the front door. If a house smells like pets, smoke or old food, it is an IMMEDIATE turn off for the buyer. They do not want to see your underwear on the floor, sloppy housekeeping and loads of clutter and junk everywhere.

So take off your seller hat and try to think like a buyer ! It will go a long way in selling your house !

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