10 Ways to Turn Off Potential Buyers
1. Turn your garage into a family room.
A family room could possibly be attractive – to your family. However, if you’ve sacrificed the garage, the trade-off might be a turn-off, especially to people who do not have kids or who live in dense urban areas, where parking is at a premium. Even in the suburbs, the majority of people want a covered, secure spot to park their cars. Don’t forget that a garage often doubles as a storage location, housing everything from the lawn mower to excess paper towels and cleansers. If you go glam with your garage, you are likely to force a buyer to search elsewhere.2. Convert a bedroom into a something besides a bedroom.
Besides location and price, one of the first things a buyer looks for is number of bedrooms. Why? Because it’s an essential requirement. You could think that having a wine cellar with built-in refrigerators in your home is likely to make it appealing to potential buyers since it was appealing to you. But that’s not for everyone. And while it’s true many people work from home today, at least part of the time, that doesn’t mean they desire a dedicated office at home -especially one with built-in desks or bookcases they are unable to easily remove. In the event you must convert a bedroom into something else, be sure you can readily put it back back into a bedroom when you go to sell. If you have lots of bedrooms, buyers might be more forgiving. However a buyer who needs three might see your custom home office as a turn-off.
3. Lay down carpet over hardwood flooring.
People like hardwood floors. They look cleaner, add a design element, do not show dirt as much, and consumers with allergies prefer them over carpets. Should you have gleaming hardwood flooring, show it off. Enable the buyer determine if they want to cover them. It’s easier for them to purchase new carpeting of their choosing than to get past yours.
4. Install over-the-top light fixtures.
An attractive chandelier can enliven a dining area. But it can also turn off buyers who prefer simpler, less ornate fixtures. Would you fall in love with a dark light fixture on a trip to Casablanca? That’s great. And you should use it for your enjoyment. But when it comes time to sell, change it out with something more neutral. Remember, you need to appeal to everybody when your house is for sale. You intend to differentiate yourself from a crowded field of sellers – but in the right way.
5. Turn your kid’s room into a miniature theme park.
Little kids have big imaginations. They tend to adore Disney characters, spaceships, and superheroes, and their parents are often all-too-willing to convert their rooms into fantasy caves. But the more you transform a child’s bedroom into something resembling a Disneyland ride, the more you’ll turn off most potential buyers. Your buyer could possibly have teenage children, and see the removing of wallpaper, paint or little-kid-inspired light fixtures as too much work.If you can, neutralize the kids’ rooms before you go on the market.
6. Add an above-ground pool.
Can it get hot during the summer where you live? Wish you had a backyard pool, but can’t afford to have a “real” pool installed? You very well may be tempted to buy and set up an above-ground pool. For the majority of buyers, though, these pools are an eyesore. Also, an above-ground pool can leave a big dead spot of grass in your backyard – another eyesore. For those who must have it, consider dismantling it before going on the market. Naturally, be sure you are going to sell, or you may be stuck without having a place to cool off next summer.
7. Leave dirty dishes in the sink.
A kitchen filled with dirty dishes it isn’t just unattractive, but it really sends a powerful message to the buyer: That you do not care about your house. When your home is for sale, buyers are going to be coming through, and you also want to impress them. Would you keep dirty dishes in the sink for your in-laws or overnight guests? Probably not. Then why wouldn’t you clean up for your potential customers? Putting your home on the market, and keeping it on the market, is work. If you aren’t cut out for it, considering delaying up until you are prepared to tidy up for the buyers.
8. Make buyers take off their shoes.
This turn-off cuts both ways. As an agent, we always hated being required to take our shoes off in someone else’s home – Not only was it inconvenient, but also we were not happy about our socks picking up a random homeowner’s dirt, pet hair and dust. Once we became first-time home sellers, and one with sparkling new hardwood floors and carpet, we couldn’t imagine allowing grime and dirt from the outside world to dirty up our floors. So what is the compromise? Shoe covers from a medical supply store. Buyers and agents don’t need to remove their shoes, simply cover them. It’s actually a win-win for everyone.
9. Smoke cigarettes in every room of your home – for several years.
Over time, the odor of smoke permeates your home. It gets into the carpet, drapes, wood paneling – just about everywhere. And that is certainly a huge turn-off to the majority of buyers today. Eliminating the smoke smell can be a big job. If you’re a smoker, you should consider the way you want to present your house to the market. For a long-term smoke-filled home, it means painting, removing carpets, and doing lots of deep cleaning. If you do not get it done, don’t expect to receive top dollar for your home.
10. Keep Fido’s bed and toys front and center.
Family pets bring a great deal of joy to the home. However they don’t always bring exactly the same joy to a prospective buyer. Dog’s toys, filled with saliva, dirt and dust, can be a sore both for the eyes and the nose. For those who have a pet, put a plan in place to move the food and water bowls as well as the toys and dog’s bed to a better location, like in the garage.
It’s your home – for now. Part of the joy of owning a home is that you may do whatever you want with it, to it, and in it. It is best to enjoy it. However if you want to sell it quickly and for top dollar down the road, try to picture how others might react to any renovations, additions or modifications you make. You definitely do not want to turn off a buyer before they ever walk through the door do you?
So if you are ready to sell your house, we are here to assist you. Nick & Cindy Davis can always be reached by simply clicking here or you can always call us at 813-300-7116 and we will set up a time to meet you and show you what the current market value of your home is.