I had recently received some positive feedback from Stephanie Edwards-Musa, an agent in Texas, and went to her blog to check her out. Her first article reminded me of a post I had done some time ago on my Greater Birmingham Real Estate Resources blog, and I thought it provided some good insight for us here too.
Ways to make Home Buyers Hate Your House
If you are selling a home, did you know that you have the power to make home buyers with all different kinds of needs, wants, and desires to not just walk, but run out of your house? If you try hard enough, you might even be able to get some of them just to keep on driving as they approach your home.
1. Odors
The number one, most effective way to shorten their stay is to have home odors. Now I'm not talking about fresh cookies, scented candles and the like. They might give the impression you actually care about your home's first impression. What we are looking for here are those pungent odors like cigarette smoke, pets, and mildew. Odors like these are sure to get them out holding their nose, covering their mouth, and wiping those watering eyes. The last thing we want to do is give a fresh, clean first impression.
2. Inadequate lighting
A man's home is his castle right? I don't recall any medieval castles being well lit, do you? Isn't too much light bad for your eyes? I mean, really, can't you find better things to do than trimming limbs on the tree outside, repainting rooms with brighter more reflective paint, taking down heavy curtains, cleaning windows, or putting in more light fixtures or lamps. You might get hurt doing some of these.
3. Busy Wallpaper
Keep it up! It's retro! It's a reminder of all the good times you have had since you moved in here 15 years ago. Grandma had some just like it in her house while she was raising mom. If someone really wants this house they can take it down themselves! You live here now, not them. You probably don't have time to take it down and replace it with something tasteful or paint anyway. You're concentrating on finding your new home.
4. Loose dogs
Now, we all know that dogs are a mans' best friend. This is the reason why you should have them waiting in the driveway, or even better, hiding behind the front door. There's nothing better than that big surprise to reveal some agent's or potential buyers fears than to have a dog yapping and growling at them. Besides, isn't it cruel to crate them or take them from their home to another environment?
5. The Unclean Bathroom
You do actually live here right? Don't people realize what you do in bathrooms? That little spot of mildew in the corner of the shower just serves as a reminder that the shampoo goes here. Besides, who would ever see it anyway? A scrubbed, freshly painted bathroom with a new shower curtain, rug, or towels just seems unused and unloved.
6. Damp Basements
Isn't a basement kind of like a dungeon? People will need to just take your word that it doesn't leak. You do live here. They ought to expect those damp smells in the basement and not just automatically assume that foundation leaks.
7. Unattractive Curb Appeal
This is the way you can get those home invaders to just to keep on driving and not even bother to step out of the car. If you're spending all your weekends looking at houses then your yard just might be unkempt, and those plants growing in the gutter are just giving homage to your favorite restaurant Carrabba's. It costs a lot of time and money to clean and paint the house. If you do this those shoppers may have to pay more for your house.
8. Insects and Bugs
Don't people realize that roaches, spiders, and insect can get in your house? It's nearly impossible to really get rid of them. Isn't it cruel to kill animals? Won't it disrupt the food chain?
9. Stick Around for Showings
Who knows your house better than you? Yes, the home buyers may feel a little awkward about opening closet doors and staying for a really good look at the house, but you can do this for them on a quick personalized tour of the home. Make sure you listen for any comments they make and give them the opportunity for questions. They should really appreciate the extra effort and time you are taking to show your own home.
Final Thoughts
If you are careful and sure to follow all of this advice you are sure never to sell your home, and if you do, you definitely won't get top dollar. Yes, most of these "problems" can be corrected without spending a lot of money, but who really wants to do them. Your agent may tell you to do address these issues now, before you put the house on the market. If you work really hard your house can earn a reputation among agents as the smelly house, the dog house, or the house where the owner gives personal tours. And I guarantee that your house will be last on every agents list to show to their potential buyers.
Finally, I will hope that you see the irony in all of these suggestions. If you want your home to sell and sell quickly yielding a top dollar price address these issues immediately. Also, ask your agent what all needs to be done. If you are looking to sell your home anywhere in the Greater Birmingham Area you can link to Sell Your Home With Stephen on the right and request a copy of our Home Sellers E-Book How To Sell Your Home For Top Dollar Fast and we can get one to you right away.
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