First Impressions Matter: How to Avoid Turning Homebuyers Off
Here are 9 things that give potential buyers the icks (and could cost you thousands!)
When it comes to selling your home, the devil is in the details.
In fact, some of the smallest things you might overlook could be glaring red flags for potential buyers.
Understanding what these things are, is key to ensuring your home not only attracts buyers but also secures the best possible sale price.
From mould to mess, here are the nine most common things that put homebuyers off, that could cost you thousands come sale time:
- Mould and moisture
- Dirt and grime
- Stains and marks
- Rubbish
- Noise and mess
- Unpleasant odours
- Animals and pets
- Insects and pests
- Clutter and mess
1. Mould and Moisture: Keeping Dampness at Bay
Signs of mould or dampness are instant red flags for buyers.
Not only are they unpleasant to look at, they hint at potential health risks and structural issues, as well as the potential for costly repairs.
So it’s important to address any dampness problems before your home goes on the market.
To tackle it head on, ensure there is good ventilation throughout your home, particularly in prone areas like bathrooms, basements and laundries.
And if you spot any signs of mould or water damage, it's worth investing in a professional to come out to assess and repair it.
Addressing dampness issues not only improves the aesthetics of your home but ensures buyers that your home is safe, healthy and structurally sound.
2. Dirt and Grime: Ensure Your Home is Sparkling Clean
A clean home is an attractive home.
Dirt and grime, especially in shared living spaces like kitchens and bathrooms, are major buyer turn-offs.
In fact, these areas, more than anywhere else, significantly affect buyer perception if they don’t present well.
So pay attention to details. Prior to opening your home, scrub every nook and cranny.
Even the smallest upgrades, like regrouting or updating silicon seals and mirrors, can make a world of difference, ensuring these spaces - even if they’re a little dated style-wise - look fresh, cared for and inviting.
A sparkling clean kitchen and bathroom can often be deciding factors for buyers, and – when presented well – can make your property stand out from the competition.
3. Stains and Marks: Don’t Neglect the Carpet
Stains on carpets, upholstery or furnishings send a message of neglect, so it's vital to address these issues as they distract buyers from the overall appeal of your space.
Hiring professional cleaners to tackle stubborn stains can be a worthwhile investment, but if stains are too deep, consider replacement.
This may involve some cost, but presenting a clean, well-maintained interior is crucial in attracting buyers who are looking to move in without any additional hassle.
Remember, first impressions count, and presentation can make or break your sale when potential buyers come through.
4. Rubbish: Keep Your Trash Out of Sight
Visible rubbish, even if it’s in bins or neatly bagged, can be off-putting.
Not only that, it can often create unpleasant smells that linger and waft around when potential buyers are inspecting your home – especially in warmer months.
So before open inspections, make sure all rubbish is properly disposed of and bins are out of sight.
While this might not be something that’s top of mind for those looking at your home, it’s definitely something that will get noticed (in a negative way) if it’s not done.
5. Noise and Mess: Managing External Issues
Noisy roads and messy neighbours can be a concern (and even a deal-breaker) for potential buyers.
While you can’t control these external factors, honesty about neighbourhood dynamics can often help lessen or ease buyer concerns.
So be honest with potential buyers about things like noise levels or neighbours that tend to let their garden overgrow.
And to offset any negatives, a good strategy is to strongly highlight the positive aspects of the area to help balance them out.
Buyers generally appreciate and respect an honest seller, which can actually work in your favour too.
6. Unpleasant Odours: Eliminate Strong Smells
Like rubbish, nasty smells from smoking, cooking or pets can linger and are a major deterrent when potential buyers walk through your door – even if you don’t notice them.
So it goes without saying that addressing odour is going to make your home more appealing.
Using air purifiers and fresheners can help create a fresher, more welcoming atmosphere during viewings.
For pet odours, regular cleaning and airing out the house can help. And if you're a smoker, consider smoking outside in the weeks leading up your open inspections.
However, for odours that are persistent or that have built up over a long period of time, professional cleaning may be required.
Start by deep cleaning any soft furnishing - carpets, curtains and upholstery - as these can certainly retain lingering smells. And if this doesn’t fix the problem, replacement might be the best option.
Even a lick of paint can help mitigate deeply entrenched smells.
Remember, a home that smells clean and fresh is inviting and suggests lovely living conditions.
7. Animals and Pets: Consider Offsite Arrangements
You love your pets. And while Fido and Fuzzball are a big part of your family, not all buyers share the same sentiment.
So where possible, it’s best to arrange for pets to be offsite during open inspections.
That’s because pets in the home - even outside - can be distracting, or even off-putting for some potential buyers.
Additionally, making sure pet paraphernalia - like bowls, beds and toys - are stowed out of sight can help in presenting a cleaner, more neutral environment, ensuring all potential buyers feel comfortable in your home and can focus on the task at hand.
8. Insects and Pests: Ensure a Bug and Rodent-Free Home
One big no-go? Insects and pests.
Visible insects or pests suggest uncleanliness and can alarm potential buyers.
So if you’re aware of any issues, it’s a good idea to have a professional pest inspection and/or treatment done before listing your home.
Some ways to avoid pests becoming a problem in the first place? Regularly check for signs, address any issues promptly and keep your home free from food scraps or other things that might attract them.
Additionally, seal any visible cracks and gaps to help prevent pests moving in, and regularly maintain the exterior of your home – including gardens – to help keep them at bay.
A pest-free home not only improves its appeal but also assures buyers that your home has been cared for.
9. Clutter and Mess: Clear Out and Tidy Up
Finally – clutter.
This one is usually quite obvious, though not always top of mind. That’s because we get used to living in our own environment and may not realise how much stuff we actually have in there.
But untidy, messy and cluttered rooms can overwhelm potential buyers, make spaces look smaller, add a chaotic feel and detract from your home’s best selling features.
So prior to inspections, take the time to declutter each room, removing personal items, excess furniture and unnecessary belongings.
To let your home’s full potential shine through, maybe consider storage solutions or, at minimum, temporary removal of items you don't need on a daily basis.
And at the end of the day, a decluttered space is less about tidying up and more about allowing buyers to focus on the features of your home rather than the clutter – and helping them envision themselves living there!
Preparing your home for sale involves more than just a quick tidy up.
It’s making sure potential buyers aren’t distracted by little ‘icks’; rather allowing them the headspace to focus on the bigger picture.
The good news? Avoiding these common property turn-offs isn’t difficult.
All it takes is a little forethought, and putting yourself in the buyer’s shoes – what are the things that would put you off? If you shudder at the thought, you can bet other people do too.
Any effort you put into presenting your home in a positive light can make a substantial difference to your property's appeal and perceived value – and will help you achieve the best price come sale time.
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And if you’d like some expert guidance and support? We’re ready and waiting to help!
If you’re just getting started, or looking for more valuable property selling, buying or investing tips, tricks and hints, check out these other handy articles on our blog:
× How to Sell Your Home: The Ultimate Checklist
× What Not to Fix when Selling a Home
× Selling Your Home: Does Marketing Make A Difference?
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DISCLAIMER: All recommendations made by We Connect Property are general in nature and not to be relied upon as legal or financial advice. To ensure accuracy, we always strongly recommend seeking independent, professional advice tailored to your specific situation before making any investment or financial decisions.