If you’re trying to sell your home, the last thing you want to do is make buyers cringe and leave your property for another one.  I tour with buyers regularly, so I hear and see reactions in live time.  Like when they gasp and say they’ve seen enough.  And if they’re running for the car, they’re likely not coming back.

Remember, the goal when listing your home is to appeal to as many buyers as possible.  Whether they’re looking on-line or touring, you want to quickly make buyers feel comfortable so they can imagine living there.  In my experience, the more interruptions or challenge they encounter with a property, the faster they lose interest.

Be it a result of poor representation or a seller’s decision to ignore their listing agent’s recommendations, here are the Top 10 Ways Home Sellers Scare Away Buyers.

#10 Unique Features and Unfinished Projects

This one can be tricky.  A “remodeled” or “updated” home can be a huge attraction to buyers IF the upgrades were completed with required permits by skilled individuals and passed code inspections after completed.  But if not, buyers can quickly lose confidence that work was completed properly and fear expense down the road.  Every room or space in a home should also have a clear function and make sense to buyers.  Even worse are repairs and projects started but not completed.  They scare buyers who don’t have the skills or funds to finish after closing. They also scare buyers using government financing that won’t allow it.

Heavily custom or “unique” features can also be a deal killer because you’re looking for a buyer who will love it exactly as you do OR a buyer who doesn’t but has the time, funds, and resources to pay the price you want and then change it after closing.  When buyers say things like “I wonder why they did it that way” or “how much do you think they paid for all that?”  I know it means they’re struggling with the flow or concept.  Leaving it to buyers to figure it out and correct is a fast way to scare off potential, qualified buyers.

#9 Neglected or Extensive Landscaping

From the first photo a buyer sees to when they drive up to your house, the first impression they get is extremely important. Poor curb appeal – overgrown plants, dirty sidewalks and driveways, and dead plants – scream history of poor maintenance. Make sure the exterior of your home is clean, neat, and inviting.

On the other hand, you can overdo it.  Most buyers want low-maintenance landscaping and are frightened by extensive designs that will require full time effort in the yard.  More often than not, “basic but well maintained” landscaping is a winning strategy.

#8 Unknown Age, Poor Condition or Non-Functioning Major Home Components

Reading the Seller’s Property Disclosure document is one of the first things smart buyers do once interested in a property.  So when the Seller’s Property Disclosure isn’t provided, buyers wonder why.  Or it is provided but the roof, HVAC system, and hot water heater are marked “age unknown,” are clearly beyond their lifespan or no longer functioning, buyers begin to wonder how a seller of a “well maintained home” wouldn’t know that information.  If they like the property, they may research the cost to repair or replace it.  But if made to work that hard, they’ll likely decide it’s just more than they can manage.

The best strategy is to check all your major home components and make sure they are working correctly prior to listing your property. Consider professional inspections and repair if necessary. Working with a seasoned Realtor® will know the most effective way to price and market the property for the best return possible in the current market.

#7 Pets and Creatures of All Kinds

No matter how calm, loving, and gentle they are with you, your beloved, four legged family members can be unpredictable when strangers show up.  Sellers must disclose the presence or history of pets on the Seller’s Property Disclosure so buyers with serious allergies or fears can ask questions or prepare for tour if they are still interested.   Regardless, make sure pets are not in the home when potential buyers will tour. This includes all signs of pets – their hair, food and water dishes, cages, and litter boxes.  This goes for rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters, as well as reptiles of any kind or size.

Insects, too.  I once toured a property that had at least one aquarium tank with a reptile in it in every room.  The kitchen, dining room, and back of the toilets included.  One buyer returned to the car after the kitchen while the other buyer and I continued.  Both found it too much and scratched it off their list before pulling out of the driveway.

Outside, too.  If you have a bee colony on the property, disclose it and take steps to separate that space but still allow buyer to see the property safely.  And the wasps or mosquitoes that keep you from using the patio or side door to the garage, shed or barn?  Hire a pest exterminator to remove them and treat the space so buyers don’t have to risk injury to complete the tour.

#6 Taxidermy

This includes stuffed creatures, too. I’ve had buyers decide not to tour a property after looking at listing photos on-line because they were uncomfortable with the number of creatures displayed. While seeing the head of a (one) deer or a (one) turkey on a (one) wall might be ok in a large den or office, even buyers who hunt can be a bit creeped out when standing in a room or house full of stuffed dead animals.   Especially those mounted low enough to touch.  Fish included. If buyers lock eyes with them, too often they declare “done” and “I’ll see you in the car.”

#5 Clutter and Collections

Most buyers are looking for a home that offers more living space.  Walking into rooms or opening closets and cupboards packed with all your stuff makes them concerned there won’t be enough room for their stuff.  Rooms look larger when balanced with essential pieces and décor, so consider selling or storing any large pieces of furniture that overwhelms a space.  You are going to be moving soon anyway, so pack up what you don’t want to pay to store or move to your new home.

But collections are different, you may say.  Maybe.  But I’ve heard the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” more times than I can count when touring over the years. Collections are very personal and usually use a lot of living space. They also tend to overwhelm or even scare buyers from entering or staying in a room filled with fragile items and displays with knives and weapons. This can include sensitive art, books, and décor, too.

#4 Dirty, Stinky, Smoky and Anything Moldy

Buyers are looking for “clean move in ready” homes, which means yours needs to be immaculately clean and fresh when it hits the market.  Dirty, stinky, or moldy kitchens, baths and essential living areas make buyers cringe, so consider hiring a professional if you don’t have time for serious deep clean top to bottom.  All floors and carpets must be freshly cleaned, and obvious stains removed to the extent possible.  Remember, fabric will hold onto odors, so it’s absolutely worth your time and effort to deep clean, remove or seriously thin out furniture, curtains, and clothes storage areas that reek, especially if someone smokes or has pets.

If your house is older, has a damp basement or you live in a high humid area, or any history of “growth” that could be mold, make sure you have an inspection prior to listing your property. Because if present, the listing photos will likely showcase it, and the home inspector will quickly find and document it.  Mold will scare away potential buyers due to health concerns associated with some types of molds.    The best strategy is to hire a reputable professional to remove it and provide documentation to build confidence with potential buyers.

#3 Being Present During Showings

I’ve seen this one stop buyers from completing a tour or giving the property  further consideration.  While sellers legally have the right to remain at the property, typically they’re not present because their Realtor® has explained all the reasons being present during showings is not in their best interest.  Whether sellers plan to remain quiet or want to share info about their home, buyers can feel startled and uncomfortable when they’re present.  Buyers want to browse through a home without feeling the seller is following them around. They also want to ask questions and express what they like and don’t with their agent without fear of offending or upsetting the seller.  They also often worry that the seller will be difficult to deal with and head for the car.

Showings shouldn’t be scary for anyone. So if concerned, ask your Realtor® to explain how the showing process works and what steps they will take to keep everyone involved safe.

#2 Misrepresenting Your Home In Any Way

I’ve had buyers stay in the car or turnaround at the front door because the house in front of them was not the house they saw in list photos.  Sellers want a great presentation of their property when listing, but photos, videos, and descriptions – and the Seller’s Property Disclosure form – should be current and a realistic presentation of the property.  Sellers who attempt to distort information are not only breaking the law, but they are also breaking trust with buyers who are interested enough to tour. That includes adding rugs over damaged floors, displaying décor over chips or cracked countertops and painting over known leaky walls and floors in basements and foundation walls.  Buyers who feel “tricked” will quickly lose confidence in the property and eliminate the property from further consideration.  Just. Don’t. Do. It.

#1 Overpricing Your Home

Overpricing your home is the fastest way to scare away potential buyers. Especially qualified buyers who are focused, pre-approved and working with a strong Buyer’s Agent who knows the market and will make recommendations for the value of properties of interest.  An overpriced home will keep some buyers from looking further or scheduling a tour. Others will schedule a showing but then cancel after driving by or looking at other properties at that price point.  And those who complete the tour may not make an offer because they either don’t want to risk offending the seller or believe it will be a waste of time.

Remember, everything on this list impacts the value on a home or property.  More importantly, it’s well established that homes priced to the market sell.  Those that aren’t, sit. Properties that sit typically have issues with price, location, condition, or presentation.  Often, it’s a combination of some or all of them. But when broken down, it nearly always comes down to price.

Bottom Line

Selling your home doesn’t have to be a scary nightmare. For you or potential buyers.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, please reach out to me at dawnlong@sckyrealestate.com or Call/Text: 270-791-4072.   I’d love the opportunity to put my experience, market expertise and dedication to work for you so your property gets the attention it deserves and sells for the best price the market will allow.

 

Realtor® / Real Estate Consultant

GRI, SRS, ABR, MRP, AHWD

Keller Williams First Choice Realty

1550 Westen St

Bowling Green, KY 42104