Making a strong first impression is crucial when trying to sell your home. Property experts including letting agents in Bicester offer their knowledge of the industry’s top 10 turn off for potential buyers and explain how to avoid them.
Here are the top 10 turn off for home buyers:
Clutter:
In addition to being annoying, clutter may also be a sign that the house lacks sufficient storage. Getting rid of clutter is a terrific approach to improve your chances of making a sale, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your sentimental belongings. They can be packaged and kept in the garage or loft. Request the help of family or friends to store them if this is not a possibility. In case that doesn’t work, there’s always self-storage. Buyers will have an easier time seeing themselves living in your home if you create a clutter-free, minimalist setting. A house may appear much smaller than it is if there is too much furniture in it.
Smells:
No matter how appealing your home may seem, lingering odours like those caused by dogs, cigarettes, or strong cuisine might hurt your chances of selling. An offensive odour is sure to turn away a potential buyer or tenant. Make sure your property is clear of offensive odours, whether they come from dogs, stale food, or even something more… “human.” Ask a reliable buddy to perform a “sniff test” on your house. We advise opening your windows to let fresh air into your home before a viewing and using air freshener or lighting a candle to make sure it doesn’t smell bad. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
A messy exterior:
Gardens that are untidy or overgrown are a big no-no. The exterior is what viewers notice first. Make sure your trash cans aren’t full and that there are no weeds in your walkway. Make your home as welcoming as you can from the get-go. Don’t forget that before scheduling an appointment, our viewers likely conducted a drive-by.
Noise:
Most people anticipate their homes to be peaceful, serene places. Even though it might not always be possible to avoid it, there are steps you can take to lessen obnoxious noise on your home. Improve your windows or put up soundproof fencing. As an alternative, try to steer clear of scheduling viewings around busy periods of the day like rush hour, when traffic will be especially severe.
There is no daylight:
Two of the most crucial elements in luring a buyer to your house are light and warmth, particularly during the winter months. A home that is cold or poorly lit can instantly turn off potential buyers by making the house appear drab and dark in some areas. If so, it conveys the appearance that the house is neglected and unloved. This issue might be easy to fix. Natural light is crucial since gloomy spaces are often unsettling. Making sure the space is well illuminated, whether through natural lighting or staged lighting, is a simple process. Make sure the drapes are drawn, and take down the nets!
Poor design:
Avoid contentious or outlandish home decor because it is not everyone’s cup of tea. What you deem classic, others may find outmoded. Bold colours and patterns may deter potential buyers since they want to envision themselves living there, and décor plays a significant role in this. The viewer will want to leave as soon as they step through the door, so replace retro carpets with heavy patterns. When buyers are faced with such a carpet, all they perceive is decades of muck and grime.
Dreadful neighbours:
Nobody likes bothersome or disorderly neighbours, especially not a prospective buyer. Although you cannot change this, you can control how it is handled. Get to know your neighbour; they could be able to aid, whether their garden hasn’t been swept in years or their pets bark nonstop. If everything else fails, scheduling viewings for when they are away might also be advantageous.
Poorly presented home:
When examining a house, attention to detail issues like peeling paint on soffits, filthy kitchen appliances, worn-out net curtains, untouched ashtrays, and nicotine-stained walls are taken into account. First impressions count a lot, so we frequently apologise for the looks of the neglected properties. Always arrive early for a showing so that you can open the windows and drapes, close the toilet lids, and move a duvet here and there. A spectator won’t want to see dirty bathrooms or kitchens, and neither is it a pleasant thought. Before putting the house on the market, have it cleaned by a professional. In the long term, small, inexpensive changes like having your home properly cleaned or the paint work refreshed will make all the difference.
An unanticipated issue:
There is nothing worse for a viewer than turning up to find there is a serious issue with a house that they were not aware of, such as a structural deficiency, a concern with anything in the neighbourhood, or compromised accommodations. Maintaining compliance with consumer protection laws is a smart precaution, but it also makes good economic sense because viewers are more receptive to hearing about the problems and the potential solutions.
Dealing with an aggressive vendor:
It’s typical for a vendor to want to attend the viewing or display any DIY features of the property. Vendor attendance during viewings, however, might not necessarily be a positive thing. It is never a good idea to follow a viewer around while selling to them. Despite their best efforts, those circumstances consistently show why it is preferable to leave it to your agent. Allow your agent to handle the work; after all, it is their job, and you will thank them afterwards.
