This is on a slightly different scale than the other points mentioned here, but should be considered at the time of renovation if possible. A toilet off the kitchen; an open-concept reno that creates a vast, empty space; or an oddly configured hallway or room is viewed by a buyer as money they'll have to spend to put things right. Try to modify your alterations to make them more universal, or better still, avoid wacky renovations in the first place.
7 Dark and dingy interiors
You can't do much about the building two feet beyond your side windows, but you can do a lot to brighten the inside of your house. White or light walls and woodwork is a classic brightener; if you can afford to add windows, they're a good investment in a dark house. Adding more lighting, whether by wiring overhead lights or just installing more lamps, works too. At the very least, keep your windows clean, to let in as much natural light as possible.
8 Horrid basements
Again, this may or may not be under your control, but a dank, dingy basement, especially if the ceiling is very low, can be off-putting. If you have the option, painting the cement floor or installing low-cost carpeting can help cheer it up a little. Also, clear out all the junk, right to the walls, so that buyers can see how much space there is -- even if it's only for their own junk.
9 Dirty appliances
Even if the house is generally clean, don't discount the possibility that people will be looking inside the appliances. Keep your fridge clear of old take-out containers and aging leftovers -- what my mother used to call "furry friends" -- and use the self-clean mode on your oven.
10 Swimming pool
It's perhaps unfair to include a pool as a buyer turn-off, since for some people it's a major attraction. But financially, pools rarely make back the money spent on them and can sometimes even lower a home's value. Almost certainly, a pool will cut down the number of potential buyers interested in the house.
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5 Comments
Should be "selling my house 101"..Owning a good sized renovation/general contractor/bldg product's dealership, we've seen it all. Painting the house, leaving a neutral blank canvas for potential buyer's, is the biggest issue for realtor's. You cant say "Yuck"..and people need to know that some of the fussy buyer's look, and make judgement ONCE!..you dont get a second chance to make a "first Impression". They look at it as "what does it look like normaly, if it look's like this, and their selling". Owning two Residential, and one commercial property of my own, and doing quote's for new buyers on existing properties, to see how the price will change with reno's etc, we've seen it all. Liked the article,and more people that are selling..Pay attention!! Should be common sense, but well written & true. Excellent article for seller's. Steve R. RWS&EXT..Regina Sask.
Absolutely! Great Info! I am a "Tell It Like It Is Realtor" and I really appreciate articles like this because it helps me get my job done. After clients have read articles, mags, books and comments like these...they are ready for my suggestions and already have a good idea of the things they should do...even before I say it. I think I will print this out and send it over before I get there for my staging consultation. LOL Thanks, Dallas Noftall dallasnoftall.com
All home sellers should know this stuff (isn't this just common sense?) but sadly, they don't. How many listed homes photos show clutter everywhere, dirty dishes piled, laundry scattered about. What are they thinking? or are they? Why would anyone want to picture themselves living in a house like this? My home is currently for sale, and is kept immaculate 24/7, inside & out. If a buyer doesn't make an offer, it certainly isn't because it showed badly! SH, Enderby, BC
Whatever you do or don't do DO NOT BE SUCKED IN BY A "HOMESTAGER"!!! Our Realtor INSISTED that our home (which had been on the market only 4 weeks) required the services of a homestager to help people "understand" it... Well $200 later, we had a 2 page letter from a homestager saying essentially "people don't understand your home layout I need to stage it... that'll be $200 please for the report" with no recommendations of HOW to stage it, or even options of interior furnishings which she could possibly add... just a simple "I will need to do some work" $200 invoice. There was nothing in her expensive report that we didn't already know. The difference was, we had to pay for the priviledge of having someone insult our home!
Whatever you do or don't do DO NOT BE SUCKED IN BY A "HOMESTAGER"!!! Our Realtor INSISTED that our home (which had been on the market only 4 weeks) required the services of a homestager to help people "understand" it... Well $200 later, we had a 2 page letter from a homestager saying essentially "people don't understand your home layout I need to stage it... that'll be $200 please for the report" with no recommendations of HOW to stage it, or even options of interior furnishings which she could possibly add... just a simple "I will need to do some work" $200 invoice. There was nothing in her expensive report that we didn't already know. The difference was, we had to pay for the priviledge of having someone insult our home!