Are you interested in selling your home in the near future? If so, it’s important to get into the buyer’s mindset. You need to understand the key points that are going to make them want to buy and the issues that will cause them to run and hide. Things to look out for are also how well the windows and doors are maintained compared to the interiors. There are red flags for buyers that will cause them to abandon a home sale completely. These issues may be smaller than you would assume. Here are some to keep in mind.
Weird Smells
A weird smell in your property is definitely enough to turn a buyer off your home. They might be worried that the smell could be a sign of a serious problem such as damp. Even if this is not the case, the perception and idea will already be there and once it’s there, it’s always going to be hard to shake.
As well as this, you have to remember, that a buyer is always looking to purchase their dream home. This means that they want to make sure that all the pieces fall into place. In other words, they don’t want a property that feels old or that has issues that need fixing. Unless of course, they are searching for a fixer-upper and the price tag to match. One of the most common issues that cause nasty smells is a clogged drain. A drain cleaning company can get to the bottom of this and fix the issue before you put the property on the market.
Unclean Exteriors
It’s possible that the outside of your home looks like it has seen better days. This can make the property feel old and outdated from day one. It’s a big problem if a buyer is looking for a modern home that feels brand new. Luckily, this is an easy fix. You should just hire or purchase a power washer. A power washer will be able to remove stains of the exterior walls and ensure that your patio looks absolutely flawless once more.
Trouble With The Roof
Finally, you do need to be careful about the roof of your home. You might assume that a buyer isn’t going to pay that much attention to the roof. However, this is not the case and it’s often one of the first points that they explore. They might even arrange for a survey to ensure that there are no problems with your roof. However, it doesn’t even need to be a major issue to turn them off. A few loose tiles will be enough to make a lot of buyers explore other properties on the market.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key reasons that a buyer may choose to abandon your home. Be aware that a buyer can get quite far through the process of purchase before they discover the issue that makes them run and hide. That’s why it’s always going to be in your best interest to be proactive here. Fix the problems before you even consider putting your home on the market.
It may seem counterintuitive to spend time and effort on a home that you are ready to say goodbye to. However, if you want a fast sale, at the full asking price, then it really is worth putting in some effort in this area. Luckily, you can discover what tasks will be the most beneficial before you place your home on the market in the post below.
A deep clean
Surprising many people forget this, and think that a quick pass with a duster will do! Of course, this isn’t the case. In fact, before you even consider any of the other home selling strategies, making sure your property is clean is vital. Check if there is a need for door or window replacement. In fact, if you can invest in a professional deep clean of the carpets and curtains, then it is wise to do so. Also, get into all those nooks and crannies such as where baseboards meet, and underneath appliances in the kitchen. And don’t forget the ceiling tiles.
The bathroom is another area in which thorough cleaning can make all the difference as well, especially if you have areas of mould or fungus that need to be removed. The good news is this isn’t such a difficult thing to do anymore. In fact, you can get high strength cleaners even for heavily soap-scum stained bathroom suits that will bring them up a treat.
Finally, remember that when a buyer sees a clean home, it’s not just a matter of the convenience of moving straight in. It also gives the impression that the property has been looked after as a whole, as well.
Make your home smell fresh!
You may think that deep cleaning our home may be enough to get rid of any nasty odours. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. This is because our homes can have a distinct smell, but we become so used to it that we no longer notice. Of course, this is something that can put off potential buyers straight away, especially if it’s an odour that is less than desirable like damp, cigarettes, or pets.
With that in mind, taking steps to properly neutralise any musty odours is vital. This may mean using neutralizing sprays or candles, moving particular items and even sending your pets to stay with relatives while you show your home.
Of course, just as bad smells can create a problem when selling a home, good smells can be a boon. With that in mind, baking a sheet of cookies or warming some bread can create a welcoming homely smell, that can help to provide a positive impression for those viewing your property.
Get rid of clutter
To sell your home for a reasonable price, and quickly you will absolutely need to rid it of clutter. This is because a decluttered home will look bigger, lighter and more attractive to your buyers. Unfortunately, clutter seems a common hazard in modern living. However, you will be pleased to discover that there is a lot of help out there for this task. In fact, there are many approaches to choose from, such as the somewhat morbidly named Swedish Death Cleaning, to the now incredibly popular Marie Kondo method.
Apart from creating the best environment in which to show round potential buyers, there are other benefits of decluttering your home before a move to consider as well. The first is that the less you have in your house by the time it sells, the less you will have to pack up and move across to the new place. Additionally, the decluttering process can be an essential step in dealing with the emotional effects of moving home. That allows you to begin mentally preparing to say goodbye to the home you have lived in. Something that can help to make the entire process of moving a great deal easier.
Deal with unfinished repairs and faults
Convenience is a big seller when it comes to property. That means anything suggesting extra hassle and stress, like repairs and unfinished DIY projects, could put buyers off or encourage them to offer a lower amount. With that in mind, you must invest in repairs for anything in the home that is broken or unfinished. In fact, it is crucial to remember that a serious buyer will test things and so just pretending that everything is working is a terrible idea!
Additionally, a home that requires a lot of repairs and even simple maintenance gives off the impressions that it has not been well cared for. Something that can really put off potential buyers. To that end, completing such tasks to a professional standard is very important.
Remove personal effects
If you want to sell your home fast and for a reasonable price, it pays to remember that what buyers want is to be able to imagine their lives in your property. What this means is you aren’t selling your home to them, but your house that they can make into their own home.
To that end, removing any personal effects can be very beneficial. This will include things like photos and family portraits, as well as trophies, kids artwork, collectibles and the like. Basically, you want to pack away and keep anything that reflective of your personal taste, in storage. The idea is that you present as a neutral canvas for potential buyers to project their own life and aspirations onto.
Create a neutral, blank canvas
You may think that your retro-styled wallpaper in orange and yellow is the height of good taste. However, there is no guarantee that potential buyers will follow you. In fact, any decor that is representative of your personal taste could get in the way of selling your home. With that in mind, it’s best to opt for neutral decoration. That means plain, light walls in Magnolia wherever possible. In fact, by giving your home a lick of paint in a light, neutral colour it will seem larger, cleaner, and will be less likely to polarize potential buyers. All things that will help it to sell much faster.
Tip – If you are struggling with the last two tasks, a trip around a new build show home can be an excellent idea. There you will see good quality finishes and furniture but in neutral design and colour schemes, and without any personal identifying features. Of course, there is a reason why such homes are dressed this way, it’s because this is the optimised route to selling, so be sure to replicate this in your own property!
First impressions count
An excellent first impression is a precious thing when it comes to selling our home. In fact, if you can start strong, it’s much more likely that a potential buyer will fall in love with your property.
With that in mind, it’s smart to remember that a good first impression requires two things. The first is some serious curb appeal. That is how your home looks from the street. Happily, there are plenty of actions you can take to improve this. One of the most simple is tidying up the front garden. Additionally, painting the outside walls of your home, or even adding some potted plants outside of the front door can make all the difference.
The second part of making sure that you create an excellent first impression with your home is that you pay attention to your front door and hallway. In fact, entrances can be very prone to scuffs, dirt, and general disrepair, so it’s vital that you cast a critical eye over this space. Additionally, cleaning any glass in your front door and applying a new coat of weatherproof paint (in a home decor on-trend colour like dove grey or sage green) can help to state selling your property for the very first look.
Clearly define spaces
Another important task before putting your home on the market is making sure that each room is your home is clearly defined. A job that is not as hard as it seems. In fact, it is merely a matter of making sure you have good quality, appropriate furniture in each room. For example, for a sleep space, something like a Liberty Furniture bedroom set would be perfect as it suggests style and class. However, be sure to remove items that either do not match the set you choose or do not match the purpose of the room. In this case, a desk, or tv may be better placed elsewhere.
There are several benefits to clearly defining the spaces in your rooms, including that it makes it a lot easier for a potential buyer to envision their life in the home. Additionally, it can help to prevent unnecessary clutter in a space, and finally do remember that certain types of rooms are valued over others. After all, a home with 4 bedrooms is likely to be worth more than one with 3 bedrooms and an office. Therefore maximising the spaces that you have is well worth the time and effort.
Final thoughts
In summary, there is much that you can do to improve your chances of selling a property once it goes on the market. In fact, the key to a quick sale at the maximum price is thinking about things from a potential buyer’s point of view. To that end, anything you can do to make your home more appealing to those looking around it is a good idea. Therefore be sure to consider making the decor neutral, maximizing the space you have and removing clutter before you sell. Also, defining the purpose of your rooms, and ensuring your property is convenient to move into will help you to sell fast, and at the highest price!
