4 Big Mistakes That Could Be Keeping You From Selling Your House
If you’ve had lots of showings but nobody has put in an offer yet, you may be left wondering why. When we live in a space for a long time, we get used to our surroundings and often overlook or even forget about some things. A real estate agent who’s really on top of things will ask potential buyers what their issues were and should be able to pass this info onto you, if you ask! However, we do live in a world where people are often afraid to come clean (no pun intended) so they may not mention the REAL reasons why they didn’t buy.
So I am going to dish it to you straight… along with this little pug below!
1. Bad Odours Lingering
We need to appeal to ALL senses of the buyer- not just visual! I know you can think of a situation right now where you were completely turned off, for no reason other than a bad smell.
When combatting odours, use natural products. Intense cleaners or artificial scents can trigger allergies or just turn people off if too strong (“what are they trying to cover up?”). After removing and/or scrubbing the root of the bad smell, inject some freshness with a stovetop potpourri- au-naturel! Depending on the season, my go-to’s are lemon/rosemary or plain old cinnamon sticks!
Common culprits for stanky houses include pet dander, urine and droppings; cigarette tar on walls or lingering in the air; mould in damp areas such as laundry room or basement; garbage and recycling containers; sweaty sports equipment; and food or spices in kitchen cupboards and pantries.
Even if you don’t think you are dealing with any of these issues, kindly ask a friend or family member for their HONEST opinion and don’t be offended!
2. Not Cleaning Well Enough
Self explanatory... we want to make sure all areas are spotless so the house is move-in ready for buyers. Don't forget to "wash behind your ears"... buyers will look in places you do not expect! Vacuum and mop all floors; steam clean carpets; scrub grout; window/door trim and ledges; light fixtures, switches and outlets; door handles; appliances inside and out... sound overwhelming?! Seriously consider hiring professional cleaners... they will be worth their weight in gold!
Click here for my free cleaning guide!
3. Having too much stuff
People cannot see past your clutter! Buyers expect (and rightfully so) to be able to easily see what they’re actually buying rather than your collections of teacups or clothing strewn all over the floor.
Decluttering serves double duty. Number one, it's easier to stage your house after clutter is reduced and number two, you’ll have less STUFF to have to pack up and move with!
After deciding what to keep and get rid of, use the sell/donate/discard method and immediately begin getting these items OUT of your house! Trust me on this, it will help you stick to your guns and keep your sanity at the same time. You can happily start your new adventure in your next home with ONLY the things you need and love!
4. Bad D.I.Y. Repairs
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve done poor repair jobs in your home. It could be a lick-and-stick repair that the previous owner did and you always intended to fix it but never got around to it.
Although tedious, repairing things is crucial when selling to let buyers know the house has been well maintained over the years. You don't want them thinking, "how long's it been like that and if they left that, what else didn't they take care of? Mould, foundation..."
Pay attention to things that you may have passed over for years because you got used to it. This could include things like jammed closet doors, missing pieces of trim, dried up caulking around tubs and sinks, ceiling damage from an old leak, etc.
If you think any of these things may be keeping you from selling your house, know that you’re not alone.
Don’t make it personal and don’t be offended… just resolve the issue and SELL THAT HOUSE!