Common Mistakes To Be Avoided

5 Guaranteed Strategies to Drive Away Potential Inland Empire Homebuyers

Many Inland Empire home sellers drive away potential homebuyers and may never know why. As your Realtor partners, it is our responsibility to inform you of common mistakes sellers make and how to avoid them.

1. Odors: Home odors rank as the number one reason why homes fail to receive any offers. Typical odors range from cigarette smoke, pet, mildew and strong/greasy food odors. Never mask these odors with perfume, as your attempts will be futile. Total eradication of odors with a thorough cleaning is your best course of action to produce a fresh, aroma free environment.

Solution: Perform a thorough cleaning combined with lightly scented fresh cut flowers or baked cookies.

2. Poor Curb Appeal: First impressions are everything. If your goal is to attract buyers with offers, you must grab your potential buyer’s attention from the street. Buyers will refuse to open your front door if they encounter a home with peeling paint, stained driveways, unkempt shrubs, and overgrown beds.

Solution: Power-wash the driveway and sidewalk. Remove dead tree limbs, mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, weed and freshen up your flowerbeds with extra mulch.

3. Pets Greeting Buyers at the Door: Frightened buyers will avoid your home if they hear Fido barking at your front door. Pets in the home rank as the third guaranteed strategy to drive away potential buyers along with their offers. Many people are frightened (along with their agents) of pets and others are irritated by their presence. Threats of litigation from dog bites can be easily avoided if you remove pets (and their odor) from your home.

Solution: Kennel your pet in a crate during showings and/or board your pet for their safety and the safety and respect of potential buyers while your home is on the market (if practical).

4. Dark or Dimly Lit Rooms: For most buyers, dark or dimly lit homes are a big turnoff. Cloudy or dirty windows are a turnoff as well. Window treatments made of heavy fabric drawn shut will prevent your room from reflecting an open airy feeling.

Solution: Open your drapes and clean your windows inside and out. If practical, replace heavy window treatments with lighter fabric.

5. Remain at Your Home: Last but not least, if you want to make buyers feel awkward during a showing, remain in your home. Better yet, follow potential buyers as they attempt to peak into your closets and inspect your kitchen cabinets. Buyers require the freedom to linger and thoroughly inspect your home if they have an interest in your property.

Solution: Leave your home during a showing to allow a potential buyer to have the freedom to view, photograph and talk about your home. The more senses (sight-smell-hearing-touch) they engage and the longer they remain during their visit, the stronger positive impression buyers may form about your home.

If you avoid making these mistakes, price your home correctly and select us, as your experienced, market savvy Realtors to effectively market your home; you will be well on your way to a positive home selling outcome. Contact us today for a free home selling consultation and complimentary Home Value Analysis.