Things that May Turn Off Potential Buyers

Selling your home is a challenge, but there are some things about your house that can make selling it more difficult. You may not even realize that you have these things in your home. However, potential buyers will see them and, in many cases, won't be amused. While a really nice feature or bonus space may help convince buyers to make the purchase, one little negative thing can be all it takes to make a buyer cross a home off their list. Here are some of the latest things that can make an excited potential buyer turn around and walk out the door.

Horrible Landscaping

Does your home look like it's decorated for Halloween all year round? If so, it likely has zero curb appeal. If your exterior doesn't look inviting, potential buyers may never see its amazing interior. Make sure the lawn is nicely mowed, the flower beds look good, and there aren't any dead branches or other plants around. You can even add a few pots of annuals here and there for a little extra color if none of your current flowers are blooming. This is probably one of the easiest fixes you can do since simple landscaping doesn't cost too much and you can do much of it yourself.

Popcorn Ceilings

Many older homes have popcorn ceilings, but very few people actually like them. This type of ugly ceiling can also hide asbestos if it was installed prior to the late 1970s, and that can be a problem. You'll want to have the ceiling tested by a professional before you list the home to make sure that's not an issue. If it is, hope that the ceiling is in fairly good shape. If it is, that means the solution is to simply seal in the asbestos using spray paint. If it's not, the entire popcorn ceiling treatment will have to come down, and that can be quite costly. Even if there's no asbestos, removing popcorn ceilings isn't easy or cheap.

Complete Carpeting Throughout the Home

Today, people want hardwood floors, even if they're fake hardwood. Some families, especially those with young children, are likely to look at a home with wall to wall carpet and start thinking about the mess the kids will make. If you have carpet throughout, consider replacing it in a few rooms such as the kitchen, the dining room, and the entryway. If that's not an option, be sure to have all of the carpet professionally cleaned.

Acrylic Faucet Knobs

Many older faucets have acrylic knobs that appear to be large, see-through pieces of glass or crystal. They're definitely a sign of an outdated bathroom or kitchen for several reasons. First, they tend to look cheap. Second, they're difficult for the elderly and young children to use. They're also difficult for some with disabilities, which means a home with this type of faucet doesn't mean the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. You can replace these faucets with easy-to-use levers for a fairly small amount of money.

Vanity Strip Lighting

If your bathroom has a strip of bare light bulbs over the vanity, it's a good sign that the home was built or at least remodeled during the 1970s. This style of lighting was very popular in those days, but today, it's definitely not. Replace this old light fixture with a nice fixture that includes bulb shades. You could even put in wall sconces on each side of the mirror as long as the style matches the rest of the bathroom.

Bright or Unusual Shades of Color

You might love hot pink so much that you painted your master bedroom that color, but chances are, most potential buyers won't share your tastes. If you've painted your home bright colors that reflect your personality, you might want to consider repainting before you sell. Many real estate agents recommend going with a warm but neutral color. Fortunately, painting your home is a fairly easy and inexpensive change you can do to help potential buyers see themselves living there.

Real estate agents, in fact, are one of your biggest resources when it comes to learning what works and what doesn't in your house. Every home is different, and it takes a trained eye to see things that may be a major turn off to potential buyers. It's important that you find a real estate agent who understands you and your buying and selling needs. For those in the LGBT community, this may mean finding an agent who also identifies as part of that community. These agents will often understand your unique needs better than others. It's also fairly easy to find LGBT real estate agents by using www.GayRealEstate.com, a website dedicated to LGBT real estate professionals.