SolveYourProblem
Real Estate Article Series
Can't Sell Your House? Top 10 Mistakes
Just
as there are many things you can do to improve your chances
of selling your house at a great price,
there are an equal number of things that will drive
away potential buyers and leave you scratching your head.
If you are working with a realtor, he or she will be able
to make suggestions on how to make your particular home more
saleable, but addressing the following problem areas is always
a great place to start.
A
smelly house is not an attractive house to potential buyers. The problem with odors such as cigarette smoke and pet smells
is that you live with them day in and day out and may not notice
them. To an outsider, however, the smell will be pungent and
noticeable. You can get rid of these odors by smoking outside,
keeping litter boxes fresh and in a contained area, repainting
walls, shampooing and steam-cleaning carpets and opening your
windows to let in fresh air. Don’t try to cover odors with
an air freshener without taking steps to eliminate the problem;
it won’t work and your house will still be smelly and unwelcoming
to potential buyers. Removing odors from mold and mildew can
be a little tougher and may require professional intervention
if the affected area is not easily accessible (between walls
for example).
Pets: you love them and think of them as part of the family.
Your potential buyer may not share your sentiment, so like
other members of the family, your furry companions should not
be on site while someone is inspecting your house. Pile everyone
in the family vehicle, or crate your pets in the yard so potential
buyers can look around without being barked at, snarled at
or pounced on.
Bathrooms are associated with hygiene, so unclean
bathrooms are a major turn-off for most buyers. Make sure your toilet,
tub, and sink are sparkling clean and that the drains are clear
and free of wet hair and other odor-trapping debris. Shine
your faucets and mirrors, de-clutter the medicine chest, empty
the trash pail and launder your towels, shower curtain and
floor mats.
Dark
rooms look dingy and uninviting. Increase the brightness
factor of your rooms by adding brighter bulbs (if appropriate),
installing extra fixtures, or by placing accent lamps or cabinet
lighting throughout the room. An even simpler fix is to pull
back heavy curtains and lift your blinds. Trimming low-hanging
branches from nearby trees can also help.
Busy
wallpaper is a no-no. Too many patterns
can be distracting and can date your décor. Consider
removing busy wallpaper, but don’t paint over it because
that will look even worse.
Wet
basements are a cause for concern as they can indicate
foundation leaks. More often however, damp basements are a
sign of poor ventilation, plugged drains, or improperly positioned
downspouts. Remove any mold or mildew that may have appeared
as a result of dampness.
Bugs: they’re usually harmless, but still an obstacle to home
sales. Squash what you can, clear cobwebs, and enlist professional
help if you have an infestation.
Low
curb appeal can discourage potential buyers from taking a closer look at your home. Spruce up your yard,
entry and
façade. Make sure your paint isn’t peeling, and that
gardens look their best, even if out of season. Bicycles, lawn
mowers and tools should be neatly stored in a shed or in the
garage if necessary.
Plugged
Gutters. Potential buyers may not notice blocked gutters
during an initial showing, but they will turn up during a professional
building or home inspection, which could be the difference
between a conditional sale going ahead or not.
Clear
out when someone is looking at your house. Potential
buyers may feel awkward looking around your house if you are
hovering over their shoulder. Working with a realtor to sell
your house eliminates this problem, as they act as chaperone
during the showing without intimidating your buyer.
Most of these fixes are simple and inexpensive to implement,
yet can have a major impact on the saleability of your house.
If possible, address any of the issues that are present in
your home before you list it for sale.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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