Suzanne Plewes, RE/MAX Alliance in Loveland
LOVELAND – Are you scaring away potential home buyers? Attracting more home buyers leads to more offers and higher prices. Avoid making critical mistakes that impede your success.
Plumbing leaks or signs thereof
Given the potentially high cost of plumbing work, buyers scare easy when it comes to plumbing concerns. Address any obvious leaks, but be sure to also repair anything that may have been damaged as a result. Buyers will assume that issues are still present if they see any water stains or other signs of plumbing issues.
Rodent problems
Rodents are another scary concern for potential home buyers. Eliminate any issues before listing your home for sale. Additionally, you may have some things in place as a preventative measure. This includes mouse traps, ant bait, etc. Buyers who see this may not realize it’s preventative and may assume that you have a current problem. It’s best not to leave these items in plain sight.
Old electric wiring
Older homes often have knob and tube wiring. These feature exposed wires that should not be touched. Experienced buyers who appreciate older homes may not be bothered so much. However, new home buyers may be extremely concerned not only by the safety issues but also the cost of upgrading the electrical system.
Safety concerns
Buyers consider many aspects of a neighborhood, safety being one of them. If they enter your home and find excessive security measures such as multiple door lock mechanisms, security cameras throughout the interior and exterior, a bat near the door, etc., they may not get a warm and fuzzy feeling about safety. You may have some of these features because you’re overly cautious, but consider the impression that it may give to your potential buyers.
The creep factor
You’ve probably heard people tell stories about creepy experiences that they’ve had when visiting homes for sale. Don’t make it onto this list! Evaluate any potentially creepy elements of your home. Do you have an old wedding dress hanging in the attic, a dark corner of the basement with dolls, strange things hanging on your walls or laying on a book shelf? It is important to get buyers interested in the features of your home and not in your personal belongings. Take the time to pack away any items that may rub buyers the wrong way.
First impressions are everything. If your home had past problems that you’ve already resolved, take the extra step of also fixing signs of those problems. Look at your home from the perspective of an outsider. What messages are you sending with your furnishings, décor, and equipment. You may not notice things that are obvious to others, so get an outside perspective before your home hits the market.
Suzanne Plewes is a broker associate at RE/MAX Alliance. Write to 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537, call 970.290.0373 or e-mail [email protected].
