10 Ways to scare off potential buyers

So you’ve put your house up for sale but so far you haven’t received the right offer? Although there are many things to consider such as price and current market you might also be unknowingly scaring off potential buyers. It might be Halloween but many homeowners looking to sell their property make these common mistakes throughout the year and it’s these seemingly insignificant issues that are impacting the sale of your home. As property experts, we are here to make you aware of anything that could not only be putting off potential buyers but that could also be affecting the value of your home.

1. Damp and Dirt – It goes without saying that your home needs to be clean and tidy for the estate agent’s photographs and for every viewing. General mess and untidiness can prevent potential buyers from imagining themselves living in your home. Damp patches and stains on the walls or ceilings can also make your home appear grubby, making buyers wonder what else is your home hiding.

2. Temperature – Consider your potential buyers to be like Goldilocks they won’t like it if it’s too hot or too cold. A warm house will feel stuffy and might raise concerns about damp and condensation, whereas a cold home will have potential buyers wondering if the heating works and if it’s expensive to heat the whole house.

3. Pets – As much as we love pets, unfortunately, they can come with a special smell that only an owner can love! During viewings, it’s a good idea to keep pets out of the way and make sure that their cages, litter trays, and sleeping areas are clean and smelling fresh.

4. Too Personal – It’s great to have your own personal style but when it comes to selling your home you may want to tone down a little. Bold interiors and personal touches should be kept to a minimum for viewings, you’re trying to sell your home not your life. You want a potential buyer to envision how they will make your home their own which is hard to do if it’s filled with your personal clutter.

5. Poor Maintenance – Bad or unfinished work will make a potential buyer feel that there is too much maintenance to do before they’ve even moved in which can be a massive turn off. These small issues can often make buyers wonder what else needs finishing or even what else had been completed poorly.

6. Neglected outside – Never underestimate the importance of curb appeal, your entrance or front garden is where all potential buyers will make their first impression of your home. An overgrown front (or rear) garden needs to be kept neat and tidy at all times, remember some potential buyers may drive past your house before actually booking a viewing

7. Good and bad smells – We’ve already discussed the distinctive smell of pets but there are other odours that will leave a bad taste in your potential buyer’s mouth and will follow them as they view your home. Cigarettes and cooked food can take over a room and put off potential buyers but be aware of over compensating as strong candles or clean smells can be just as off-putting.

8. Clutter – A cluttered home is the most popular way to scare off potential buyers as they’ll have trouble looking past the chaos to visualise their own belongings in your home. Putting things away and ensuring your home is clutter free is a must before every viewing, it’s also a great excuse to have a clear out of any unwanted or unused things.

9. Dark rooms – Turn on a light and open the curtains, natural light is essential for estate agent’s photographs and viewings. Bright rooms allow potential buyers to feel open and each room feels homely.

10. Illegal home improvements – Obviously unfinished building work to your home will scare off potential buyers but so will illegal home improvements. If you make any major changes to your home you must adhere to building regulations and seek planning permissions. Remember that new buyers will have to consider these costs in their offer.

Are you guilty of any of these home faux pars? A smart seller will ensure that their home is fit for sale and consider each of these 10 points. If you have any questions about buying or selling a property in north London you can speak with our experts in your local branch.