If you are thinking about selling your home there are several things you should consider when it comes to attracting home buyers.

Here are five things about your home that could potentially turn off home buyers:

A Cluttered Home:  Home buyers will have a hard time picturing themselves living in your home if you haven’t decluttered.  It is important to make sure you are staging your home in a way that is warm and inviting for potential home buyers.  Pack up all of your knick knacks, family photos, and extra furniture that doesn’t look like it has an intentional purpose.

A Weird Smell:  If you have pets, or if you allow smoking in your home you can bet potential home buyers WILL be able to smell it from the moment they step in the door.  It is essential that you mitigate this issue BEFORE you put your home on the market. I have seen homes sit on the market for MONTHS because of the smell.  Don’t be that guy.  

Selling Your Home As-Is:  It is possible to sell your home as-is, but you can bet this will limit the amount of home buyers who will show interest in your home, or who will even be able to put an offer on your home.  There are strict standards with FHA and VA loan terms that require certain projects to be completed before a loan is issued. Not only that, but if your home is listed as-is this can tell potential buyers that you are not flexible, or that there may be something wrong with your home that you can’t afford to fix.  

An Unkept Lawn:  The outside of your home is a buyer’s first impression.  If you haven’t kept on the yard maintenance it is likely a buyer won’t even bother coming inside.  You may give the impression that if the outside of your home is uncared for then maybe there are things inside that have also been neglected.

Unwilling To Negotiate:  It can be a very stressful time for you and for a home buyer especially after you have accepted an offer.  If you are unwilling to negotiate on items in the inspection report, or if you are unwilling to negotiate on other issues that may come up your deal could blow-up.  You don’t have to give the buyer everything they ask for, but just make sure you give the impression that you want the same thing: For your home to sell, and for the transaction to go as smoothly as possible.

Preparation is key when it comes to selling your home.  If you go into the process with an open mind set and with a good realtor on your side it should go smoother for you.  I would also encourage you to do the work! Put some time and energy into making your home into a space you are proud of, and that is hard for you to let go.  Home buyers will appreciate the hard work that you put into it. They WILL notice! 

Happy home selling!

Xoxo,

Amber