I hope all my Canadian friends had a great long Thanksgiving weekend, I know I did. It entailed San Francisco, seeing some old friends and the Madonna concert, I couldn't have asked for more. As I try to catch up from my extended long weekend, I've rounded up a great guest blog post for you today.
Is your home currently listed on the market or are you contemplating on listing it? Then make sure to find out the 7 sneaky reasons your home is not/may not sell. Jen gives us the 411....
If your home has been on the market for a long time, it's easy to become frustrated with the market - except, it's not always the market. Here are 7 sneaky reasons your home won't sell and easy ways to fix them.
Bad Photography - For many real estate buyers, the first glimpse at a home is on a website. The photos included in a listing can make them schedule a showing or move on to the next link. Buyers who aren't seeing your home won't buy it, and photography is the first step to getting them in the door (literally!) Make sure your photos are well lit and show every room in the house. More is more in this case. Take pictures of small details and close ups of areas you believe are the best part of your home. Also this is why it's so important for your Realtor to hire a professional photographer who knows the right pictures to take. Ensure your listing has a virtual tour, people first want to see if it's worth their time to check out your home in person.
Low Curb Appeal - How many potential buyers are cruising by your home without scheduling a viewing? If you have an unmaintained or boring yard, cluttered front porch or trash strewn about, the answer to that question may be a high number! Curb appeal gets those potential homeowners to stop in and gives them a lasting first impression of your home. Make sure your yard is uncluttered - pick up trash and toys laying around. Plant a few flowers and trim hedges and bushes. Re-mulch or add pebbles to your landscaping to freshen up the look. Don't' forget the front door - adding an extra coat of paint can do wonders!
It Stinks, Literally - Homeowners are often not in tune with the natural scent of their home. What smells fine to you might be off-putting to your potential buyers. Beware of animal smells, diaper pails and smoke, which can give your buyers a negative opinion of your home. Light some candles or put a cookies in the oven for a fresh-baked fragrance. Add reed diffusers or potpourri to your shelves to make your home smell fresh and clean.
Too Much Clutter - Maybe you still live in your house, but it shouldn't look "lived-in" if you really want it to sell. Pack away personal items like collections, magazines, toys, books and photos (you're' moving anyway, so you'll need to pack them eventually!) For "clutter" that you need to keep around, such as baby items or things in your home office, consider buying baskets or decorative storage containers to hold the items when they aren't in use, hiding them from sight.
Too Personal - Did you think that red bathroom was a great idea when you moved in? How about the wall covered in chalkboard paint? Or the purple kitchen? Just because you like a certain color or style doesn't' mean your potential buyers will, and many can't see past the color of the walls to see the structure of a home. Before you put your house on the market, paint your walls a neutral color and pack away decorative items in an unusual style (that includes those glow-in-the-dark stars on your son's ceiling.) Let the buyers see themselves in your home.
Poorly Maintained - Broken shutters, a hole in the door, a leaky faucet - potential buyers see those as things they'd have to fix themselves, and might cause them to think negatively about your home. Small upkeep tasks can be finished in a weekend, and go a long way when you're trying to sell your home.
Not Available - You work Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 and you don't want to show on weekends. That's fine, but limiting the times you're willing to show your home severely limits the potential for buyers to fall in love with your home. If possible, let your Realtor show your home anytime, or place only a few restrictions on viewing times. More viewings means more buyers see your home, and that's a great thing for you.
About the Author: Jen D’Angelo is a realChicago suburbs homes for sale. When she’s not working, you can find Jen teaching a knitting class at her local community center.
Thanks so much Jen, these are all VERY important things to consider when selling your home as it can make it or break it.
Did you find this helpfully? Is your home currently listed and can relate to one of the seven reasons?
