Real Estate Blog - From Buyer Eyes...Sellers Pay Attention!

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From Buyer Eyes...Sellers Pay Attention!

Having shown what seems to be hundreds of homes in the Waco area in the past couple of months, I want to share with you some of the top negative comments I get from my buyers and how you can overcome these traps as sellers.

You may have heard this all before, but you need to pay attention.

These are actual problems that I have just recently run into and have run into in the past. Buyers are choosier than ever, don't take these things lightly.

Flooring is scratched or tiles are broken-Address flooring BEFORE you sell. Dirty and stained carpeting, scratches in stained concrete or wood flooring and broken tiles area a quick turn off. Even if everything else is great in the home, the flooring will stop a buyer dead in their tracks. I've seen gorgeous and expensive homes with flooring problems. It's probably why those homes are still on the market.

Smoke odor-I've seen some beautiful homes that were burdened with a lingering smell of smoke. Sensitive noses and asthmatics will notice this immediately and they won't even begin to notice how nice the home is. Same goes for any foul odors including pet odors and the smell of garlic (yes, I entered one home that smelled so strongly of garlic, it was hard to press on). Have someone that does not live with you do a sniff test and take care of those odors before they take care of you.

Rooms are too small-Many times I get this comment when really there is too much clutter of furniture in a room. Or maybe the placement is just poor. It has nothing really to do with the room actually being too small. Cut down on bulky furniture, remove clutter and "stage" your home for sale.

Untidy, unkept home-a dirty home is a home that doesn't sell. Buyers will turn around and walk out quicker than anything if they see a home that is not kept. It's probably the biggest and quickest turn off there is besides the price.

Ugly yard-ugly yard syndrome may not seem like much, but I have to tell you how much this is commented about. It's the first thing buyers see, and believe me, they don't miss it. Make sure your lawn and yard is attractive and well-kept. Don't fool yourself into thinking buyers don't care.

Weird Paint Colors-When my buyers see these, they discount the home. Paint over those crazy colors with something bright and neutral. Again, don't fool yourself, BUYERS actually may not select your home just because of a wall color.

Wendy Montoya, Realtor® , Waco TX

http://www.wendymontoya.com/

254-315-4906

YOUR Waco Realtor® at Work for YOU!
A proud Century 21® Towne Adams Real Estate Professional!

Posted by Wendy Montoya Waco, TX Real Estate, 254-315-4906 on 09/17/2007 08:12 PM

Comments (15)

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15 Comments on From Buyer Eyes...Sellers Pay Attention!

SEP

2007

Great list, Wendy! That is the answer, the sellers HAVE TO step out of their shoes and into the buyers shoes and be completely honest with themselves...sometimes though, that's easier said than done!

Faith LaRosse

Hi Faith,

I know we see these list all the time. I've shown so many darn houses lately though and these items came up more than once. These are not just things I've come up with due to what I've read and heard about. These are the real deal. Real comments from Real Buyers.

It's a real shame when you see a gorgeous and very expensive home and your buyers have comments like these. It's very hard to overcome. Thanks for commenting.

Wendy

Wendy,

Nice common sense list. Every little bit helps to get an edge in a buyer's market! Thanks, Fran

Fran--thanks for the comment. Apparently Sellers need to be reminded, I have seen all sorts of crazy things lately in a market that caters a bit more towards the Buyers.

Yes, I agree on the colors too. My sellers answer to that is, "They are going to pait it whatever color they want anyway..." I can't impress enough what a turn-off crazy colors are. They might go with your furniture, but they won't go with the next owner's.

Stacey--thanks for commenting. Interesting how simple things like that play with our minds, and with buyers choosier as ever, no time for messing around if you want to sell.

Great list Wendy... I think I might just elaborate on this and put it in my listing presentation. I like how you address these issues, coming straight from the buyers mouth!

Hi Leigh--great for the listing presentation, and really nothing new.

It's not until you show home after home after home with problem after problem...well you get the idea, that you really begin to see a distinct pattern. What's even more important, is that I am seeing more selectiveness just recently and these minor details can break a deal pretty fast these days.

I feel your pain. Our little buyers market is indirectly encouraging this type of behavior. It is their right to be that way, and it gets frustrating at times, but it is their money.

SEP

2007

Hi Joshua--Thanks for the comment. More inventory, more selectiveness. I guess that's good for buyers :). Sellers just need to pay close attention and step up if they want to sell. The great news is that homes are selling around here!

SEP

2007

Wendy - Great pointers. I had a potential listing once and when I told the homeowner she would have to declutter she thought I was speaking a foreign language!

Hi Linda--

I guess we kind of DO speak a foreign language, now that you mention it. It's really hard for sellers to see through Buyer eyes. So it's always a challenge. Thanks for stopping by!

Wendy this is exactly what I tell everyone of my sellers. I even give a check list on some very inexpensive tips they could use. I tell them if they follow the list their home will be gone in no time. Does the average seller follow your advice ...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I think their most difficult obstacle is to try begin to see as a buyer, when very often it was only a few moments ago you were probably showing the their next home. They do not know how to detach themselves. They want to keep the photos, the wall colors, the carpets, because it is the decor they like. Neutral matches almost any decor, that is way it is called neutral. :-)

Hi Paul--Checklists are great. I have these as well. I have one for pre-listing and one for pre-showing so they know what to do to get the house ready and know what to do right before a showing. I know a home is very personal, it's just so important to change your frame of mind when you are ready to sell, especially in a buyers market. Thanks for commenting.

Wendy, Great Blog. Thanks for the excellent information for all of us agents. I have even helped buyers move their furniture around to stage their home as they has requested; and come back days later to find everything back the way it was. Then there are the other type of seller that is so happy for you to help them stage their home to sell and do everything you suggest. Those I just love and their homes often sell in days not months. The old saying "Location, and condition" set the price. Too many sellers do not understand that condition can also mean cleanliness, and uncluttered rooms to make the home look larger. Thanks again Wendy

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