7 Red Flags to Resolve in Your Home Before They Turn Away Homebuyers

A new home seller or any home seller can be excited about the process of getting ready to sell before finding a realtor.

The real estate market can move fast with home sellers looking to capitalize on good interest rates. They may find themselves rushing to get through the home sale process and forget to focus on key areas that could mean more money in the bank.

Instead, they overlook the red flags within the property that could cause home buyers to lose interest and the seller misses out on the amount he expects.

Things to update in the house before homebuyers start seeing red.

1.     Poor curb appeal.

Nothing says “please do not enter” like a house with overgrown shrubs or peeling exterior paint or a worn-out front door or all of the above. Lack of neat landscaping or a shabby appearance causes the average homebuyer to wonder what problems may await her inside before she ever crosses the threshold.

2.     Window coverings closed in every room.

In some cases, closing the window coverings makes sense. If they’re closed in every room, home buyers may wonder why the room gets such poor light, or what’s hidden behind “Curtain No. 1”.

3.     Bulging storage spaces.

Buyers look into a new home as a way to solve the issues from their previous place. If closet doors cannot close or storage spaces are bursting with boxes or other items, homebuyers will imagine the worse scenario for their own storage issues.

4.     Keen aromas or odors.

A sharp to slight aroma that’s known or unknown can turn off buyers in a second. You can have the most attractive house according to the MLS photos, but the moment the home buyer walks through the front door and notices a scent she believes will cost an uncertain amount of money to pinpoint and resolve, she may consider House Choice No.2. on her list.

 

5.     Pets in the MLS photos.

Your pets are the cutest. They’re family. However, pets can cause buyers to see less value in the home once they catch a glimpse of your Aussie shepherd lounging under a chair. The home buyer’s wild imagination could get the best of her as she worries about her allergies flaring up or wondering what hidden damage or interesting odors could be lurking around that she might tackle later.

6.     Countertop chaos. 

Kitchens are a big deal to home buyers. Typically, home buyers spend most of their time in the kitchen to cook or entertain or both. This means that countertops are front and center. You’re probably thinking that cabinets are super important, too. They are. But, you can’t prepare food on them. That’s why buyers want to see as much countertop space as possible. If you let them see what they’d be paying for, it could mean big dividends in the long run.

7.     Noticeable flooring issues.

Mismatched flooring. Worn down carpeting. Scratched hardwood. If you’ve lived in your house for several years, the flooring may have taken on too much foot traffic, or the quality was not what you expected when you first moved in. Over the years, you may have intended to resolve the flooring issues and life got in the way. Finding the best solution within your budget avoids the buyer’s active imagination to run wild about the cost and time needed to update the floor.

In the end, you can control the first impression of your house. Once the red flags are clear, your homebuyer will feel clear about choosing your house as their best pick for purchasing.