UPDATED 2019
6 TURNOFFS THAT SELLERS SHOULD AVOID
After a property showing, home sellers love to receive feedback. They (or their agent) appreciate the comments that help them make tweaks to their homes. Feedback could include price, condition, location, smells, or any myriad of things that irk buyers. Here in Winnetka and the North Shore, homes are decorated and show beautifully . . . but still.
Here is a infographic that shows the six worst offenses according to buyers:
70% of respondants were turned off by dampness and the underlying worry about mold. Finding where the water is coming from can be tricky and buyers don't want to be bothered with that. If you are aware of any dampness on walls or ceilings, find the problem and fix it before you list your home.
56% of buyers noticed smells. Well, they are not hard to miss. Buyers will hurry through a home with obnoxious or unpleasant smells. The top offenders? Pets, cigarette smoke, and damp (see above) odors particularly in the basement. The easiest fix is to remove old carpeting if possible. Otherwise, clean pet areas rigorously, keep airing out the house, and smoke outside. These smells will cost you.
54% said that dim or dull lighting was unattractive. Older homes may not have updated to ceiling can-style lighting and many buyers are used to those. Dated fluorescent lights in the kitchen makes one wonder how the cook was able to prepare anything ! If you can't update the lighting, adjust your price for this important update.
25% felt that outdated baths were a negative. And they are, no doubt about it. But is it always wise for the home seller to update the baths before listing? It depends. If the house is otherwise in good condition except for a bath then I strongly suggest updating it. You will get your money back on it. If the entire house is in need of updating, then I would skip it and adjust the price.
15% were disappointed that a house was not cleaned and staged. I am a huge proponent of professional staging because it doesn't always have to be costly - in fact it usually isn't. Many stagers will work with sellers to reuse existing items and by providing a to-do list of cleaning out duties. Not cleaning and de-cluttering is one of the biggest mistakes that sellers make - it causes a longer market time and lower sell price.
14% were not impressed by your "over-the-top" decorating. This is why staging (see above) is so important. Staging not only tackles clutter but helps curb decorating. Buyers are keen to find a house they can envision as their own. When decorating is excessive, buyers have a hard time seeing past it. It's not a criticism of your style, it's a declaration of their own.
While you're here, please see ALL NORTH SHORE HOMES FOR SALE
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Margaret Goss is a full-time real estate broker since 1998 working in the North Shore communities of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, Glenview, and Evanston.
She can be reached at:
Phone: 847-977-6024
Email: margaret.goss@bairdwarner.com
See her full BIOGRAPHY
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