Are You Scaring Away Potential Buyers?

By Andrew Hill @ www.newhomesource.com

So you’re trying to sell your home, but you’re having a hard time making the transition from potential buyers to a sold home. Or maybe this is the first time you’re considering selling you home. Regardless of your situation, we have provided a few tips for things to avoid as you begin the process. Of course, these are just our helpful suggestions. If there’s one thing you should always consider, it’s hiring a realtor. Heeding the knowledge and advice of a good realtor will always be a great choice when engaging in real estate.

For starters, unless your buyers are led to your house in a blindfold, the first thing they will notice is your home’s exterior. If you hope to have a substantial number of home tours, you must grab their attention from the street. Trim the grass, plant new flowers, and give your house a fresh coat of paint. You wouldn’t look at a house that looked unkempt, would you? Sagging doors or a cracked window can make your traffic dwindle significantly. Another key consideration that must be tended to is your gutters. Yes it’s a pain, but by cleaning them you’ll be killing two birds with one stone. You’ll clean up a lackluster appearance and eliminate drainage problems- a factor that will be conscious in the minds of savvy homebuyers.

The second thing your homebuyers will notice after the exterior is what they will smell upon entering your home. Cigarette smokers, animal lovers, and generally messy homeowners beware- you’ve got a lot of work to do. Even if you don’t fall under those categories, you still need to make sure your home smells nice. This does not give you license to sporadically spray aerosol cans and perfume before your guests arrive. Try using baking soda, steam cleaners, or wiping your walls with vinegar to banish those smoky and pet-related smells. While you’re at it, a fresh coat of paint will do wonders on the eyes and noses of potential buyers.

Furthermore, if you do have pets at your house, make sure you board them or keep them away during a showing. Although you may love having Fido greet you at the door, many people are afraid of dogs. This is a simple rule to follow, so don’t let your pets break thedeal for you.Under no circumstances should you put them in the garage or another room and ask your visitors to not inspect that room.  Asking your homebuyers to not inspect a room is a sure fire way to end any chance of selling your home.

We hope you enjoyed these tips. For more advice on how to properly stage your home, be sure to consult your realtor!