House Does Not Sell
If Your House Does Not Sell You Probably Know Why. You're either too lazy or stubborn to do something about it.
There are many things you can do to improve your chances of selling a house at a great price.
If you are working with a realtor, he/she will be able to make suggestions on how to make your particular home more saleable, but addressing the following problem areas is always a great place to start.
What You Need To Know About Why a House Does Not Sell and What To Do About It...
- A smelly house can be a major cause of why a house does not sell. The problem with odors such as
cigarette smoke and pet smells is that you live with them day in and day out
and may not notice them. To an outsider,
however, the smell will be pungent and noticeable.
You can get rid of these odors by smoking outside, keeping
litter boxes fresh and in a contained area, repainting walls, shampooing and
steam-cleaning carpets and opening your windows to let in fresh air.
Don't try to cover odors with an air freshener without
taking steps to eliminate the problem; it won't work and your house will still
be smelly and unwelcoming to potential buyers. Removing odors from mold and
mildew can be a little tougher and may require professional intervention if the
affected area is not easily accessible (between walls for example).
- Pets - you love them and think of them as part of the family, but a potential buyer may not share your sentiment. So, like other members of the
family, your furry companions should not be on site while someone is inspecting
your house. Pile everyone in the family vehicle, or crate your pets in the yard
so potential buyers can look around without being barked at, snarled at or
pounced on.
- Bathrooms are associated with hygiene, so unclean bathrooms
are a major turn-off for most buyers. Make sure your toilet, tub, and sink are
sparkling clean and that the drains are clear and free of wet hair and other
odor-trapping debris. Shine your faucets and mirrors, de-clutter the medicine
chest, empty the trash pail and launder your towels, shower curtain and floor
mats.
- Dark rooms look dingy and uninviting. Increase the
brightness factor of your rooms by adding brighter bulbs (if appropriate),
installing extra fixtures, or by placing accent lamps or cabinet lighting
throughout the room. An even simpler fix is to pull back heavy curtains and
lift your blinds. Trimming low-hanging branches from nearby trees can also
help.
- Busy wallpaper is a no-no. Too many patterns can be
distracting and can date your décor. Consider removing busy wallpaper, but
don't paint over it because that will look even worse.
- Wet basements are a cause for concern as they can indicate
foundation leaks. More often however, damp basements are a sign of poor
ventilation, plugged drains, or improperly positioned downspouts. Remove any
mold or mildew that may have appeared as a result of dampness.
- Bugs; they're usually harmless, but still an obstacle to
home sales. Squash what you can, clear cobwebs, and enlist professional help if
you have an infestation.
- Low curb appeal is a major factor when a house does not sell, as it can discourage potential buyers from taking
a closer look at your home. Spruce up your yard, entry and façade. Make sure
your paint isn't peeling, and that gardens look their best, even if out of
season. Bicycles, lawn mowers and tools should be neatly stored in a shed or in
the garage if necessary.
- Plugged Gutters. Potential buyers may not notice blocked gutters
during an initial showing, but they will turn up during a professional building
or home inspection, which could be the difference between a conditional sale
going ahead or not.
- Clear out when someone is looking at your house. Potential
buyers may feel awkward looking around your house if you are hovering over
their shoulder. Working with a realtor to sell your house eliminates this
problem, as they act as chaperone during the showing without intimidating your
buyer.
Most of these fixes are simple and inexpensive to implement,
yet can have a major impact on the salability of your house. If possible,
address any of the issues that are present in your home before you list it for
sale.
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