Today, we are going to share with you the top 5 biggest turnoffs for buyers when looking at your home. Avoiding these will mean your home sells faster and for much more money. So if you want to achieve astounding success when selling Guelph real estate or a home in the Tri-Cities, just avoid doing any of the following.
1. Being Home.
Staying home when a potential buyer comes to a showing is a huge mistake. It doesn’t matter how nice you are or how much you know about your home. You being there makes both the buyer and Realtor® uncomfortable. Buyers want to be able to talk freely about the house, and your presence really puts a damper on that. They’ll be more inhibited about asking questions, which might make them less enthusiastic about placing an offer.
A big part of selling a home is helping a potential buyer envision themselves living there. They buy a home because it “feels right.” In other words, it feels like “theirs.” You being home has the opposite effect. At best, they feel like a visitor. At worst, they feel like they’re intruding.
What challenges are you facing when selling Guelph real estate? The resources below can help you through it all:
- How to Sell Your Parents’ Home
- What Are the Challenges of Selling During a Divorce?
- What Can You Do if a Buyer Tries to Back Out?
2. Really Bright or Dark Paint Colours.
Bright paint can be a massive turn-off in person, but that’s not even half of it. An even worse problem is that bright or dark paint looks terrible in photographs. Bad images create a negative impression of your home before a potential buyer walks in the door. You might say, “What’s the big deal? They can choose their colour and do whatever they want after they move in.”
Unfortunately, very few people can visualize what a room would look like when painted a different colour. And since most buyers are looking online, this does not bode well for your chances of a sale.
3. Limiting Showings.
When life gets busy, it’s tempting to make your home unavailable for scheduled showings. No one likes the inconvenience of showings and having to constantly clean and leave their home. But if you restrict times or refuse too many showings, buyers get frustrated. This could cause them to move on to the next house while yours sits on the market.
Keep in mind that the more available you make your home, the faster it is likely to sell. As soon as you accept an offer, you no longer have to worry about keeping your space ready to show and can move on to the next step.
4. Cluttered, Messy Homes.
A messy, cluttered home is a disaster. It’s distracting, off-putting, and even makes a room look smaller. Buyers will likely overlook any nice features of the home because they are too busy looking at your clutter.
Fair or unfair, a messy home creates the impression the home has not been cared for and has been neglected. It also opens up the idea that there is a lack of space. Because if your home had ample closets and storage space, why would all of your stuff just be lying around?
This thought could lead them to wonder what else is wrong with the home. Don’t let this happen. Always tidy up as much as you can when a buyer is about to visit in person.
Do you have questions about financing or refinancing when buying your next home? The posts below will give you some answers:
- Is it Better to Pay Off Your Mortgage or Invest Your Money Elsewhere?
- How to Choose the Right Mortgage Broker
- Straight Talk About Second Mortgages and Refinancing
5. Weird and Unpleasant Smells.
Bad odours, whether from smoking, pets, or cooking, are a real deal killer. We can’t tell you how many times people open the door of a home, catch a whiff, and then turn around and say, “I don’t even want to see this one.”
Some smells are notoriously difficult to get rid of, and buyers are rightly concerned. As the seller, it’s worth doing whatever it takes to ensure your home is clean, fresh, and neutral smelling.
Get rid of all garbage on a timely basis, and especially before showings. A deep clean of the entire house will help to release any lingering odours. If the weather permits, open the windows to let some fresh air in.
Remember when selling your home, buyers are your customers. You want to make sure they love what they see (and smell) from the beginning. These home selling tips will help you get better results.
Are you counting on a successful outcome when selling your home? Our Guelph real estate agents are happy to help you make the most of your sale. Connect with us today at info@gowylde.ca or call 519-826-7109 to begin a conversation.
