Things Home Sellers Should Not Do when selling their North Carolina House
- Do not use plug-in style or strong air fresheners. Strong scents can bother buyers, trigger allergies and make people wonder whether you are covering up an odor.
- Do not burn scented candles during showings. Candles can create a safety concern, and heavy fragrances may turn buyers away. They can also trigger smoke alarms.
- Do not cook strong-smelling foods before a showing. Fish, fried foods, garlic and heavy spices can linger for hours.
- Do not smoke inside the home or garage. Smoke odors are hard to remove and can lower a buyer’s interest in the property.
- Do not stay home during showings. Buyers need privacy to look around, talk freely and picture themselves living in the home.
- Do not leave pets loose in the house. Even friendly pets can distract or frighten buyers. Remove pets when possible and clean up food bowls, litter boxes and yard waste.
- Do not leave medications, jewelry or valuables in plain sight. Store prescription drugs, financial papers, spare keys, firearms and personal items in a secure location.
- Do not hide known problems. Sellers should disclose required material facts and avoid covering damage with furniture, rugs or paint.
- Do not overprice the home based on emotion. Buyers compare your home with recent sales and current competition, not with what you hope to receive.
- Do not ignore repairs. Leaky faucets, loose handles, damaged carpet and burned-out bulbs can make buyers think the home has not been maintained.
- Do not make major changes without talking to your agent. Some updates cost more than they add to the sale price.
- Do not over decorate. Too many decorations, collections and personal items can make rooms feel smaller.
- Do not leave family photos everywhere. A few are fine, but too many personal photos can make it harder for buyers to picture the home as their own.
- Do not pack closets and cabinets too tightly. Buyers will open storage areas. Overfilled spaces can make the home appear short on storage.
- Do not use the garage as a dumping ground. Buyers care about garage space, storage and parking. If you must use the garage for strorage, boxes should be packed neatly.
- Do not block access to rooms or storage areas. Buyers should be able to see the attic, garage, closets, utility spaces and outdoor areas.
- Do not leave the home dark. Open blinds, turn on lights and replace burned-out bulbs before showings.
- Do not forget the front entrance. Peeling paint, dead plants, cobwebs and a dirty door can hurt the first impression.
- Do not leave dirty dishes, laundry, toilet seats up or full trash cans. A clean home feels better cared for and is easier for buyers to remember.
- Do not keep the temperature uncomfortable. A home that is too hot, too cold or humid may cause buyers to leave quickly.
- Do not cancel showings unless it is necessary. Buyers may have limited time and may not reschedule.
- Do not follow buyers on security cameras. Cameras may remain on, but sellers should not use them to listen to private conversations.
- Do not post private details about negotiations online. Comments about offers, urgency or your lowest acceptable price can weaken your position.
- Do not take buyer feedback personally. Feedback can help you improve the home’s presentation, condition or pricing.
- Do not remove items that are expected to remain with the home. Attached fixtures may be part of the sale unless they are excluded in writing. Clarify items such as mirrors, light fixtures, basketball goals, curtain rods, TV mounts and smart-home equipment before listing.
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