Top Turn Offs for Home Buyers

We’ve shown hundreds of homes to all sorts of clients in the Halton Hills area and we’ve come to notice what people like and don’t like.  Use our list of don’ts to make sure you’re not turning would be buyers off when it comes time to sell your house.
Odors. First impressions count and if a prospective buyer is knocked over by an offensive odor you can bet theirs won’t be good.  Stale cigarette smoke, litter boxes, dogs and strong cooking can all cause buyers to turn their noses up at your house.  Because you may not even be aware of how your home smells, you may want to ask a neighbor or friend for their HONEST opinion.  To remedy the problem you should refrain from trying to mask odors with air fresheners.  It doesn’t work!  Instead, try getting the carpets cleaned and washing odor trapping fabrics, like bedding, upholstery and drapes.  Smoke outside your home, arrange for pets to be elsewhere while you are trying to sell, clean out the litter box every day, and refrain from cooking strong smelling dishes.  If you really want to go the extra mile, fill your home with smells that are sure to delight by baking cookies or a fresh loaf of bread.
Neglecting minor repairs.  If you haven’t changed burnt out light bulbs or fixed that leaky tap, buyers may begin to thing that you may have neglected the larger things as well. Before you list your home, make sure you tackle all these little jobs.  Often they can all be taken care of in less than a day.
Dirty, scuffed walls and old chipped paint.  Painting your home in neutral colours is one of the least expensive ways to freshen things up.  Don’t forget baseboards and doors. Most often, painting your home will result in your home selling more quickly and for more money.  It’s well worth the effort!  We can recommend a great painter in the Halton Hills area who provides fast, professional service.  
Not cleaning well enough.  If your home is dirty and unkept for a SHOWINGS, the prospective buyer will often wonder what your home looks like on a regular day.  Don’t let their minds wander down that path.  Make sure your home sparkles. Don’t forget closets, basements and garages too.
Too hot or too cold.  No one wants to step into a sweltering house on a hot summer day.  Luckily, this is an easy one to take care of.  Make your home more inviting and comfortable by selecting the right temperature for the season.  If its winter and you have gas fireplace, now would be the perfect time to showcase it.
Unkept yards.  Landscaping should not be overlooked when it comes to preparing your house for sale.  Buyers really notice if your lawn is overgrown and littered with garbage.  Take the time to make the outside of your home look presentable.
 Family pictures, knick-knacks.  Buyers like the clean, uncluttered look.  Achieve it by packing up all these items.  Just think- you’ll have to pack them anyways, why not get a head start?  
About us- Bill & Lia McNally.  We’re an energetic and highly productive spousal team committed to building our business through the referrals of satisfied clients.  We’ve consistently been among the top performing agents at Johnson Associates making us the logical choice when it comes to listing your home.  Call now for a free market evaluation on your home or if you have any real estate questions.  No obligation.