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Sharp Dressed Homes Observations of Top 10 Most Common Mistakes Made By Home Sellers

By Jody Thulin

Home Stager with Sharp Dressed Homes

January 28, 2007 04:33 PM

Sharp Dressed Homes Observations of the Top 10 Most Common Mistakes Made by Home Sellers:

#10 - Staying home when potential buyers come to look at your house. They really don't want you there!

#9 - Not paying attention to how your house smells... this includes cleaning solutions!

#8 - Leaving too much "stuff" in every room... The more you have, the smaller your house feels!

#7 - Whatever it is you "collect" needs to go in a box in the garage. I once saw about 200 ceramic cows on top of the seller's kitchen cabinets.

#6 - Your windows aren't clean enough... unless you keep slamming into them with your face.

#5 - When you leave your animals in the house during showings, potential buyers worry your house is dirty.. and it probably is....

#4 - No fresh flowers or homemade cookies set out during open houses... people will stay longer if the house smells like cookies!

#3 - It is never acceptable to have a futon in your house if it's for sale...futons are ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#2 - No fabric shower curtains.....your bathtub or shower is not attractive.

#1 - No window treatments.........they don't have to be custom....you can afford it......they make all the difference in the world if you choose the right fabric!

Comments(11)

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Gary Urich

Elliott Costal Living / Better Homes & Garden Real Estate - North Myrtle Beach, SC

North Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Thank you for pointing some of this info out. I'm sure it will be helpful.Thank you

Jan 28, 2007 04:35 PM

Chris Griffith

Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

#11 No taxidermied cats. There is never an occasion that that would be acceptable, but I keep seeing them.

Jan 28, 2007 09:16 PM

Jody Thulin

Sharp Dressed Homes - Redding, CA

#11 - Good one! No dead animals on the wall including the garage!

Jan 29, 2007 01:47 AM

Tom Burris

NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA

Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

the smell, the smell

#1 should be the smell

dont burn incense and get rid of the animals for a while.

Jan 29, 2007 02:05 AM

Tina Parker

Calgary, AB

REALTOR, Associate Broker

"No dead animals on the wall" LOL, LOL!!!

I keep forgetting just because it is obvious to me, doesn't mean it is obvious to others.

Great list.

Jan 29, 2007 06:22 AM

Loreena and Michael Yeo

3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX

Real Estate Agents

Alot of these are pretty obvious. But somehow, it just isnt quite the same when it's not told upfront!

Jan 30, 2007 02:52 AM

Calie Waterhouse

Chandler, AZ

Community Builder

Great List! I am especially sensitive to smell, my older friends are especially sensitive to sound. Wouldn't it be nice if sellers could just be more sensitive to potential buyers (hence, potential offers), instead of worrying about ...paying their agent too much? I don't know how many houses I've walked into and been greeted by potpourri (or tropical) smelling cigarette smoke. Yikes!

Thanks for sharing!

Jan 30, 2007 03:40 AM

Kathy Somers

Stage it First - Toronto, ON

Stage it First Home Staging

The cow collection makes me laugh. I once went into a clients home where they had every tin known to man on every surface in the kitchen. Why do people think that potential buyers want to see all their junk??? And sellers being home!!! That's a pet peeve of mine. Buyers want to leave immediately when they see the seller is at home. For goodness sake, how can you discuss what you like and don't like about a home when the seller is following you around....jeesh!

Feb 10, 2007 02:55 PM

Carol Ellis

Luxury-Domain to Home Stage - Charlottesville, VA

I have been a buyer of homes and a seller of homes. That 15 second thing first impression thing is so true and I lead with my nose. If the house smells funky I am so out of there, no matter what it looks like, if my nose is offended it just won't stay in the house long enough to look at it. Cover up scents like candles, plug ins just do not work to cover up pet smells, smoking, or dirt and I just hate it when people try to be so deceptive. It makes you wonder what else they are trying to cover up! When I sell homes, I usually have bread baking, or baked just b4 I leave. Bread has sold 3 houses for us(well, along with cleaning and decluttering.)

Feb 11, 2007 02:10 AM

Penny Province

Province Staged Properties - Denver, CO

Province Staged Properties

#12. Not putting out the welcome mat, literally. I have seen more homes with ratty old, filthy door mats--big turnoff.

Mar 23, 2007 07:09 AM

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate

Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

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