Deal Breakers that Can Ruin Your Home Sale
When selling your house, it's important to make the best possible impression on potential buyers. While some buyers will say that they knew a house was right for them the minute they walked in the door, other buyers will tell you they knew immediately that a house was NOT right for them. Sometimes deal-breakers are personal, but often they apply to many and can damage your chances of a profitable sale (or any sale at all). Avoid these 5 deal-breakers to get the best deal when you sell:
- Pests - It seems obvious that people would be turned off by seeing bugs in a home, right? But sometimes homeowners get used to having "bug problems" and don't think about how they might negatively influence buyers. Seeing one or two bugs, like maybe a fly or random little spider, might not be that big of a deal. But if a roach crawls out while people are looking at your house? Forget it. They are out of there! If you have any kind of infestation, you need to nip it in the bud before you start showing your house.
- Pets - Just because you love your pets and consider your home very "pet friendly" does not mean other people feel the same way. There are a myriad of reasons why having pets can hurt your home sale. Sometimes it's simply that animals make people nervous. Taking your pets out of the home during showings can solve that problem. But other things, such as visible food bowls, kitty litter boxes etc. can turn off people who don't live with animals. And any kind of pet odors can do a lot of damage as well. It is a good idea to make sure your house is free of any pet paraphernalia and pet odors before opening it up to buyers. How to Get Your House to NOT Smell Like Your Pets
- Small/Outdated Kitchens - Big, open kitchens are one of the most desirable features for homebuyers. If you have a cramped, closed off kitchen, updating it before you put it on the market will be well worth it. Not only will you be able to sell it faster, you will get a better price for it and odds are you will likely recoup the money you spent sprucing it up and then some.
- Cheap Upgrades - Poor quality shows. While you don't want to spend a ton of money on a house that you are leaving, you also don't want to hurt your chances of selling it by making cheap upgrades and repairs that are poorly done. Unless someone is looking for a "fixer upper", they are going to lose interest quickly if they see a lot of shoddy upgrades.
- The Roof - A roof in bad condition will scare away potential buyers quickly. The idea of buying a house and immediately having to foot the bill for a new roof is not appealing. If your roof is old or in need of repair/replacement, take care of it before putting your house on the market. Otherwise, expect to have to lower your asking price. A new roof will not only improve resale value, it will also boost curb appeal, both of which will increase your chances of selling and getting the best price possible! Increase Your Home's Value with a New Roof
If you are thinking of buying a home in the Huntsville area, let professional Realtor Mike Manosky help you with all your real estate needs! Give him a call today at 256-508-0211!
Photo Credit: houselogic.com