If you’re selling your home right now or planning to do so, understanding the biggest red flags that turn off buyers will be hugely helpful.
When preparing your home for sale, avoid basic mistakes that will undermine your hard work.
Bad smell
Nothing makes a buyer balk faster than the smell of cigarettes and tobacco. Ensuring your home is free of nasty odors is essential, especially if you have pets.
Bugs life
Ants running amok on the countertops is a terrible introduction to your kitchen. You must eradicate all signs of unwanted guests, including spider webs that mysteriously appear in dark corners.
Pet hate
Another challenge can be household members of the four-legged kind. It’s best to hide away any sign of pets, whether a dog or cat. Buyers know that most domesticated animals leave their mark from time to time. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it doesn’t do the deal any favors.
Old school
While there’s a place for vintage or period furniture, you want to avoid fixtures or furnishings that should’ve been thrown out years ago.
Bathroom blues
Many buyers who see carpet in the bathroom will turn on their heels. Even though it’s a relatively minor issue, folks simply can’t get past the ’70s approach to the most essential room in the home.
Just weird
There’s nothing wrong with having a quirky taste in furnishings, a fascination for velour wallpaper or a love of the bright orange in the second bedroom, but they won’t help you sell your home. The safest path is to be conservative and not stray beyond conventional tastes if you want to strike a deal.