First impressions are everything in the real estate market, and buyers are quick to judge. One small issue could leave a buyer with a bad gut feeling that stops them from making an offer.
Fortunately, many of these silent deal-killers are easy fixes as long as you identify them before putting your house on the market. Here are 13 small issues that could turn buyers away:
1. Bad Odors
A bad odor is an immediate deal-breaker for many buyers. Not only does it make your home feel less comfortable and enjoyable, but it can indicate a larger problem with the house.
Unpleasant smells can be a sign of mold or mildew, pet damage, old carpets, or other costly issues. Buyers will worry about hidden problems and question the overall quality of the house.
Be cautious about trying to cover up bad odors with air fresheners or candles, too. Buyers can usually tell when you’re trying to cover something up. Deep-cleaning your house and using an air purifier will be more successful than trying to conceal an odor.
2. Cluttered Storage Areas
Decluttering is an essential step in preparing your home for the market, and you need to declutter every space. Don’t make the mistake of shoving all your personal items in a closet, garage, or attic. When the storage spaces are filled with clutter, buyers can’t see how much room your house truly has.
You may need to rent a storage unit for your personal belongings while your house is on the market. Keeping your home’s storage areas as empty as possible will make a better impression on buyers.
3. Bold Paint Colors
You might love bright and unusual colors in your home, but bold paint can be off-putting to buyers. Loud paint colors can overwhelm the room and make it difficult for buyers to see their own vision for the property. Before listing your house, consider repainting your walls with softer, neutral colors.
4. Personal Decor
Personal decor like family photos, a framed diploma, or your children’s drawings can impact buyers’ first impressions. Instead of picturing themselves in the home, buyers will just see your life and your story. Removing personal decor will help your house become a blank canvas that buyers can project their own lives onto.
5. Pet Damage
Pet damage can be a serious turn-off for buyers. When prospective buyers see signs of pets, they may worry that the animals have scratched up the floors or soiled the carpet.
Before an open house or showing, try to remove any sign of your pets from the home. Put away their beds or crates, and hide their food. Consider investing in professional carpet cleaning to remove pet stains and odors from your carpets. Always take your animals with you when you leave for a showing, too.
6. Old Appliances
Some buyers view old or mismatched appliances as a red flag. If your oven, washing machine, fridge, or other appliances are outdated, buyers may worry that the larger and more expensive systems throughout your house are old, too.
It’s not always worth it to upgrade your appliances before listing your home. However, if one of your appliances is nearing the end of its lifespan, replacing it could provide a good return on investment.
7. Outdated Fixtures
Lights, doorknobs, cabinet hardware, and other fixtures can make a big difference in your home’s overall appeal. Hardware goes through trends, so buyers may feel like they’ve been transported back in time if your house’s fixtures are outdated. Fortunately, updating the hardware throughout your house is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to improve its appearance.
8. Poor Temperature Control
If your home is too hot or too cold, prospective buyers will think your HVAC system is broken, the house is poorly insulated, or your windows or doors are drafty. If the property does have any of these problems, you should correct them before the open house.
You want your visitors to be as comfortable as possible, which includes keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. A temperature of 70 to 72 degrees will generally feel warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer.
9. Carpet
Wall-to-wall carpet is a controversial home feature. Some buyers love carpet for its comfort, but others find it too difficult to keep clean.
Replacing wall-to-wall carpet with hard floors may not be a worthwhile investment before you sell your house, but you could discuss the option with your agent. If most of the comparable homes in your area have hard floors, carpet may be a turn-off for buyers. If you decide to keep the carpet, shampooing it before listing your home can go a long way in making a good impression.
10. Lack of Lighting
Poor lighting can make your home feel dull, drab, and claustrophobic. To make the space more inviting for an open house, open all the blinds and remove any heavy or dark curtains. Turn on the overhead lights and add floor lamps if any rooms still feel dim. Brighter white lights are good for living rooms and kitchens, and warmer lights are better for bedrooms.
11. Moisture Damage
A few small water spots may not seem like a big deal, but they can be a big red flag for buyers. If your home has any amount of moisture damage, buyers may assume that there are larger problems lurking beneath the surface. Water damage can impact the structural integrity of your home and can increase the risk of dangerous mold problems.
12. Bad Landscaping
The landscaping is the first thing buyers will see when they arrive at your home. If your lawn isn’t in good condition, buyers may jump to the conclusion that the entire house is unmaintained.
Remove clutter from your driveway, porch, and lawn just like you removed it from your home’s interior. Keep the grass cut and the hedges trimmed, or consider hiring a professional landscaper to give the property a makeover.
13. Noisy Environment
Unfortunately, you can’t change where your home is located. If you have loud neighbors or live near a busy highway, buyers may pick up on the noise issue during the open house.
It’s usually a good idea to open the windows for fresh air during open houses and showings. However, you may want to keep them closed if you live in a noisy area. If your neighbors are the culprits, consider offering them a gift and asking them to keep the noise down during your open house.
All of these small issues have the potential to be deal-killers, which is why it’s so important to take the time to prep your home for the market. Before you list your house, make sure it’s clean, decluttered, neutral, and comfortable. A few quick and inexpensive upgrades can make a massive difference in your home’s appeal.
