That’s not going to happen though for various reasons. For one thing, it’s not their home, it’s yours. You may think you don’t need to tidy away all your clutter or do anything else to it because potential purchasers will be able to see beyond your belongings and visualise their own stuff in it.
Of course, in an ideal world, that would be the case but unfortunately other people’s stuff can be a real turn-off for homebuyers.
With that in mind, let’s have a look at some more turn-offs for homebuyers.
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression
‘It’s what’s inside that counts’ may be true when you’re talking about people but when you’re talking about houses, that first impression counts for a lot.
After all, a potential purchaser probably didn’t take much notice of the front of your house when they saw the photo on their Hammersmith estate agents website, but when they pull up outside and see the exterior of your house in real life, it’ll be a completely different story.
So, what I’m saying is: kerb appeal. Tidy your wheelie bins away if possible, do the weeding, give your front door a lick of paint and some shiny new door furniture and don’t forget to clean your windows and window coverings such as blinds, nets or curtains, as these can be seen from the outside.
‘It’s what’s inside that counts’ may be true when you’re talking about people but when you’re talking about houses, that first impression counts for a lot.
After all, a potential purchaser probably didn’t take much notice of the front of your house when they saw the photo on their Hammersmith estate agents website, but when they pull up outside and see the exterior of your house in real life, it’ll be a completely different story.
So, what I’m saying is: kerb appeal. Tidy your wheelie bins away if possible, do the weeding, give your front door a lick of paint and some shiny new door furniture and don’t forget to clean your windows and window coverings such as blinds, nets or curtains, as these can be seen from the outside.
Dirty kitchens and bathrooms
A definite turn-off for homebuyers is thinking they’ll have to spend tens of thousands on a new bathroom and/or kitchen. If your kitchen or bathroom isn’t shiny, new and modern, at least make them look their very best by giving them a real decluttering, deep clean and updating them where you can.
For example, installing new taps, refreshing the grout, putting up a new shower curtain or screen and putting down a new vinyl floor can make all the difference and won’t cost a fortune.
A definite turn-off for homebuyers is thinking they’ll have to spend tens of thousands on a new bathroom and/or kitchen. If your kitchen or bathroom isn’t shiny, new and modern, at least make them look their very best by giving them a real decluttering, deep clean and updating them where you can.
For example, installing new taps, refreshing the grout, putting up a new shower curtain or screen and putting down a new vinyl floor can make all the difference and won’t cost a fortune.
Smells
You know how whenever you go into someone’s home it has a smell? Whether it’s a good or bad smell, it has one. Your house is the same, although you probably don’t notice what it smells like.
In order to have only nice smells in your home when you’ve got people booked in to view your home, make sure to do the following:
Get rid of any cat litter trays and pet food bowls.
Make sure all the washing up’s done and there’s no stale food lying around the kitchen.
Similarly, empty the kitchen bin and make sure all takeaway boxes have been binned or put in the recycling.
If you smoke, empty all ashtrays, wash them up and put them away (p.s. If you do smoke, Allen Carr’s ‘Easy Way to Stop Smoking’ is an amazing book that actually works.)
Clean your home thoroughly and open all the windows to let fresh air in. Fresh air smells better than any air-freshener.
You know how whenever you go into someone’s home it has a smell? Whether it’s a good or bad smell, it has one. Your house is the same, although you probably don’t notice what it smells like.
In order to have only nice smells in your home when you’ve got people booked in to view your home, make sure to do the following:
Get rid of any cat litter trays and pet food bowls.
Make sure all the washing up’s done and there’s no stale food lying around the kitchen.
Similarly, empty the kitchen bin and make sure all takeaway boxes have been binned or put in the recycling.
If you smoke, empty all ashtrays, wash them up and put them away (p.s. If you do smoke, Allen Carr’s ‘Easy Way to Stop Smoking’ is an amazing book that actually works.)
Clean your home thoroughly and open all the windows to let fresh air in. Fresh air smells better than any air-freshener.
Over-zealous vendors
Yes, you want to be helpful and tell any potential purchasers about your new kitchen, how good the local school is and how lovely your neighbours are but this will only be a major turn-off for homebuyers.
By all means be friendly and helpful but following potential purchasers around instead of letting them have a look by themselves and get a feel for the place is going to put them off. Let the estate agent do his job and show them around while you stay out of the way.
Yes, you want to be helpful and tell any potential purchasers about your new kitchen, how good the local school is and how lovely your neighbours are but this will only be a major turn-off for homebuyers.
By all means be friendly and helpful but following potential purchasers around instead of letting them have a look by themselves and get a feel for the place is going to put them off. Let the estate agent do his job and show them around while you stay out of the way.
In summary
There are of course turn-offs that you can’t do anything about, such as being near a main road, noisy neighbours or school run mums blocking your drive in the morning. But take the above points into consideration to make sure you’re not unwittingly putting off potential buyers from your property by issues that are easy to fix.
*Guest post
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