Selling your home is part art, part luck and part planning. Your real estate agent will handle most of that for you – but you have to do what you can to make your home as appealing as possible to prospective buyers. That means avoiding these five things that can send buyers running for the hills.
5 Ways to Send Prospective Buyers Running
These are the five things that turn buyers around fast:
- Leaving clutter around the house (or in cabinets and drawers)
- Keeping your place too dim
- Neglecting curb appeal
- Going overboard on loud themes and decor
- Failure to keep up with basic maintenance
Scroll down for a closer look at each.
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Buyer Turn-Off #1: Leaving Clutter Around the House (or in Cabinets and Drawers)
Let’s face it – most of us are at least a little bit messy. And messes can quickly spiral of control. But if you’re selling your home, that mess is going to turn potential buyers away fast.
It’s important to declutter before you put your home on the market. That means getting rid of anything you don’t need – and putting anything you do need away in a neat and tidy fashion. Clutter makes a house look small, cramped and unkempt – none of which are qualities that buyers are looking for.
Buyer Turn-Off #2: Keeping Your Place Too Dim
Some people like their homes to be dark and cozy. And that’s fine – when you’re living there. But when you’re selling, you want buyers to see your home in the best possible light (literally and figuratively). That means making sure that all your rooms are well-lit. Open up the curtains, turn on the lights and let the sunshine in. You may even want to add some extra light fixtures and lamps to brighten things up.
Related: 5 pieces of advice for every home-seller in Aspen
Buyer Turn-Off #3: Neglecting Curb Appeal
Your home doesn’t just exist inside your walls. Your home’s exterior and the rest of your property is important, too. If you have a shabby front yard, it’s going to give buyers the impression that you don’t care about your home – and that’s going to make them think twice about buying it.
So, take some time to spruce up your curb appeal before buyers start coming around. Mow the lawn, trim the bushes, plant some flowers and add a few finishing touches (like a new doormat or a modern mailbox) to really make your home look its best from the street.
Buyer Turn-Off #4: Going Overboard on Loud Themes and Decor
Your home should reflect your personal style. But if your style is too “out there,” it could turn buyers away. If you have zebra print furniture, mirrored walls or neon green paint, now is the time to tone it down. You want buyers to be able to see themselves in your home – and that’s going to be tough if your home is too far out of the mainstream.
Take a step back and look at your home with a critical eye. If you think your decor might be a little too much for some buyers, consider making some changes. You don’t have to completely redecorate – just make a few small tweaks to tone things down and make your home more appealing to a wider range of buyers.
Related: What you should do when a buyer wants to negotiate with you
Buyer Turn-Off #5: Failure to Keep Up with Basic Maintenance
Your home is a big investment. And, like any investment, it needs to be properly maintained. That means changing air filters, having the HVAC system cleaned, fixing any broken windows, repairing any damaged walls and taking care of any other maintenance issues that crop up over time.
If you don’t keep up with basic maintenance, buyers are going to assume that you don’t care about your home – and that’s going to make them think twice about buying it from you. So, take care of any maintenance issues before you put your home on the market. It’s the best way to ensure that buyers see your home in its best light – and that they’re more likely to make an offer.
Are You Selling or Buying a Home in Aspen?
If you’re ready to sell your home in Aspen, Woody Creek, Basalt, Carbondale or Snowmass, we may be able to help you.
Get in touch with us right now to find out how much your home is worth – and discover how we’ll be able to help you sell it quickly and for top dollar.
If you’re also looking for a home for sale in Aspen or a nearby community, check out our listings by price in the table below.
Aspen Homes for Sale by Price
| $200k to $300k | $300k to $400k | $400k to $500k |
| $500k to $600k | $600k to $700k | $700k to $800k |
| $800k to $900k | $900k to $1 million | Over $1 million |
