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7 BIGGEST HOME BUYER TURNOFFS

1. LACK OF CURB APPEAL
It starts from the moment the Buyer pulls up in front of your house. Within the first 15 seconds they are already forming opinions about what they like and don’t like. Peeling paint, sagging gutters with weeds sprouting out of them, untended flower gardens, dandy-lion choked lawns, front doors that stick or squeak are all going to turn off your Buyer fast.

2. PETS
You love your pets but not everyone is an animal lover. Some even love them but are highly allergic to them. Do your prospective Buyers and yourself a favor and keep your pet contained during showings. People will stay around longer and look harder if they are not uncomfortable.

3. UNPLEASANT ODORS
Smells in a home are a definite turnoff. Clean litter boxes and, if possible, put them out of sight. Wet dogs, cigarettes, mildew odors can all be triggers to send Buyers away. Damp smells in your basement can be a signal to Buyers of foundation leaks. If you do have leaking problems, fix them.

4. DARK ROOMS

• Remove heavy window treatments that block sunlight.
• A fresh coat of light paint goes a long way to brightening a dark room.
• Bring in additional lamps or change light fixtures that don’t brighten a room.
• Trim away tree branches that block sunlight from the room.
• Move large dark pieces of furniture out of the room.
• Wash the windows (all over the house) and let the sunlight in.

5. DIRTY KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
Kitchens

Picture yourself walking into the kitchen of a home you are thinking of buying. One of the first things that goes through a Buyer’s mind is “How much cleaning am I going to have to do before I move in here?” If your stove and refrigerator are being sold with the home, clean them before showing the house.

Bathrooms

Bathroom fixtures that look as though they are seldom cleaned will send Buyers running. Scrub the basin, tub/shower and toilet. Give the room a fresh coat of paint if necessary or wash down the wall covering. Put up a new shower curtain. Put fresh towels on the towel bars whenever you’re showing. Place some scented candles in the room. Even when they’re not lit they give off a pleasing aroma.

6. INTERIOR DÉCOR
Buyers can see around interior décor that will be moving away with you. Things like busy wallpaper and startling colors on the walls will go onto their “things I have to change before I could move in” list. Bright patterns and colors are a matter of personal taste. Once you’ve made the decision to sell your house, it’s time to de-personalize it. It’s best to present the Buyer with a blank canvas and let him add his or her own personality to the rooms.

7. CREATURES WITH MORE THAN 4 LEGS
Bugs are a definite turnoff. If they’re problematic, call in a good exterminator. Enough said.