Property turn-offs: 7 red flags when viewing a property
If you're looking to sell or have recently put your property on the market, viewings could highlight undesirable features that may deter home buyers from making an offer. So how can you make your home more sought-after? We have compiled a list of the biggest red flags that could delay and even ruin your chances of selling your property.
Putting your house on the market can be a long, drawn out and often stressful process, so you want to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible to prevent any delays and hopefully get it sold quickly. To see your property through buyers' eyes is essential – you have to be as objective as possible about your home.
This means making it as easy as possible for prospective home buyers to imagine themselves in your home. Tidying up rooms and gardens, fixing anything that could present significant issues, and even getting rid of garish décor will all help make your home more appealing.
Here are 7 red flags to avoid:
1. Clutter
Dirty rooms, appliances or furniture are a sure-fire way of putting doubt in buyers' minds as to how well the rest of the property has been looked after, so keeping your home clean and tidy is really important.
2. Damp/mould
Signs of damp and mould are enough to stop the majority of homebuyers in their tracks, no matter how smitten they are with the rest of the house. Damp stains, stained ceilings and crumbling plaster work are all red flags, signalling a problem that could be expensive to rectify.
3. Dark rooms
Nobody enjoys living or even sitting in dark and dingy rooms, so you might want to consider getting brighter light bulbs or position lamps in strategic spots for viewings. Also, think about replacing curtains or blinds with something light and translucent, and position a mirror in the darkest corner of the room to reflect light.
4. No kerb appeal
First impressions are a huge factor in selling a property, and often decisions will be made before buyers even set foot through the door. This means you need to present your house in the best possible way and consider how it presents from the street. Consider how your property looks from the front, do you need to paint tired woodwork, and give everything a good clean. You could also plant a welcoming flower bed and jet wash walkways.
5. Leaks and stains
Home buyers' number one concern is that the house they purchase may be hiding an expensive secret, so stains from previous leaks in walls or ceilings are sure to set alarm bells ringing. To avoid unnecessary questions, it is wise to repair once the leak has been fixed. Every so often we visit properties where the leaks have been fixed but the stained ceiling has not been repaired, which is bound to provoke questions.
6. Overgrown garden
If your property has a garden with grass, make sure it has been cut, the hedges have been trimmed and flowerbeds weeded before viewings. This goes for all garden areas but particularly front gardens, as this is the first impression potential buyers will get. You don’t want to fall at the first hurdle!
7. Garish décor
You’ll want to make it as easy as possible for prospective home buyers to imagine themselves living in your home, so that might mean giving it a quick paint job before arranging any viewings. If your personal décor choices are too garish – think elaborate wallpaper patterns or gaudy paint colours – buyers will have a hard time seeing past it. Instead, choose inoffensive, neutral tones.
Is your home guilty of any of these red flags? Are you wondering what jumps out to buyers on a viewing? Get in touch with Gibson Honey and we can give you free, personalised advice on your home sale.