Staging a home is a basic necessity and important component of the real estate business. Potential buyers need to envision themselves and loved ones enjoying a life in the home. First impressions for your home count just as much as meeting a person in real life. This means well-kept lawns, updated fixtures and neutral paint. This article will focus on how to avoid common mistakes that will make you lose a buyer in much less than ten days if you are’t careful. Don’t make the easiest mistakes in the book below:
Messy Spaces
The worst mistake sellers make is not cleaning the home. No matter how appealing a listing may be, if the home is filthy, it will not sell easily. Properly cleaning a home increases buying potential exponentially.
Intrusive Pets
While many people enjoy animals, they can be an instant way to turn off potential homebuyers. Some animals are intimidating to people. They can also be a distraction while your agent is trying to show the home. Additionally, it can be difficult to mask the odors from animals and to control where animal fur goes. Make a plan for your pets during the sale so when there is an unexpected showing you know exactly where your pups can go for a bit.
Lingering Odors
Odors are one of the major turn-offs for potential homebuyers. If buyers smell anything out of place, it will make them wonder about potential issues with the home. Make sure to have all of your drapery and carpets professionally cleaned before you sell.
Poor Landscaping
Also known as poor curb appeal, poor landscaping is enough to make potential buyers not even bother getting out of their car. Landscaping is important because it is one of the first things buyers see and a clear indicator of whether or not the house is well taken care of.
Overpricing
Pricing a home higher than it’s worth is a mistake that will cost money and time. People shop around for prime real estate so they will know how your pricing compares with other options in the market. Overpricing a home can take you out of the competition immediately leaving with you with no showings and no offers.
Outdated Decor
When potential buyers see fixtures that are outdated, they see dollar signs. Searching for a new home is difficult enough. No one wants to think about additional money and work they will have to put toward a new place.
False Representation
The majority of the time buyers use photos and info from websites to determine whether they want to view a house in person. This is why it is crucial that your photos are an accurate representation of what the listing will look like in person or better. Even though sellers want to paint the best picture they can for potential buyers, it’s important to paint an accurate one that doesn’t leave people feeling mislead.
Busy Walls
Bright wallpaper or busy paint colors can turn people off a home immediately. A wrong color can dominate a room, so neutrality is key. Make sure to remove any outdated or busy wallpaper, along with bold paint colors, in favor of a neutral paint color. This way a future homeowner can imagine themselves making the house their own.
Personal Items Galor
How can someone properly envision living in a home when it looks sufficiently lived in? Family portraits, knick-knacks and personal items need to exit the home before a showing.
Hovering Homeowners
There is almost nothing more awkward for potential homebuyers than to deal with hovering homeowners at a showing. A buyer needs to be comfortable inspecting every nook and cranny in a home. It’s important to give potential buyers space to do the observation they need. Buyers need to be 100% confident with a home before they make an offer.
Selling a home is no easy task. In any market, real estate professionals need to be at the top of their game in order to make listings more appealing. Hiring a real estate agent can help most homeowners looking to sell avoid these easy mistakes. For more information about selling your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us.