In Part 1, we discussed the impact of odors and over-pricing on your ability to sell your home in today's market.
Today, we will discuss Dirt & Messes and Little Malfunctions.
House Hater Complaint #3: Dirt and Messes. Most people think that their home will show well if they keep it clean (ie. dusted, vacuumed, swept). While cleanliness is a very important part of the equation, another important factor often gets overlooked. Like odors, people tend to not notice their own clutter after a period of time. It becomes a part of the landscape inside their home. So, again, like odors, while you may not notice it any more, potential buyers will notice nothing but the clutter when they visit your home. Things like dirty dishes in the sink, piles of laundry, piles of papers, magazines and books, scattered toys, unmade beds and unironed clothes piled in the corner next to the ironing board will create a big distraction to buyers. Instead of seeing the great kitchen, open living room, beautiful view and detailed decor, they will only see the mess and either shy away from making an offer or make a lower offer because they feel the home needs work. Keeping the clutter at bay while your home is on the market is crucial in getting it sold quickly and for the best price. If you don't have space to put everything away, rent a storage unit and clean out as much as you can. You will need to clean it out and box it up to move anyway; why not get it done now and make your home give it's best first impression to everyone who visits it.
House Hater Complaint #4: Lots of little malfunctions. All of us tend to think our homes are in fantastic condition. After all, you have the A/C system maintained regularly, you've got granite and dual paned windows, you had the floor professionally polished and carpets steam cleaned, you painted the walls - all in preparation for putting your home on the market.
That's all fantastic - all the non-cosmetic work you've done to maintain and improve your home should be trumpeted in your marketing materials and the cosmetic items will (or should) speak for themselves. The reality is this - buyers who visit your home won't be running your dishwasher or testing the A/C system during their visits (they know this will be done during the inspection process). What they will do, almost unconsciously, is:
- flick light and fan switches
- open or close windows coverings, closet, room and entry doors
- open and close drawers, cupboards, gates and fences
- hold handrails on stairways
- turn on faucets and flush toilets
They will notice even the smallest things (uneven floors, water spots from past leaks, uneven trim) while looking at your home. During the buying process, buyers subconsciously are trying to justify in their minds why they should purchase a home. Little imperfections give them reason to justify a low offer or maybe not even making an offer on an otherwise great property. You don't want them to think "what could be wrong that I can't see".
Fixing many of these items is usually inexpensive. You will do yourself a big favor by fixing them before putting your home on the market. If you are concerned that you might miss something a buyer will notice, have your agent walk through the home with you to make a list of what needs to be fixed. Again, making the best first impression possible will make a big difference in the long run. You will get your home sold more quickly and for more money if you do.
Some aspects of this post were taken from an article written by Tara-Nicholle Nelson for Trulia's Real Estate Realist.
This completes our series on Hater Proofing Your Home when Listing It For Sale. Check back soon for more valuable tips regarding buying or selling a property.
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