Your Daily Real
Estate Blog
From
Supreme Manor
Real Estate Services
Top 10
Worst Home-Showing Offenses
When
it comes to presenting a home to buyers, some sellers are clueless. Are your
sellers’ homes leaving buyers with a bad impression? Here are the 10 most
common responses from buyer’s agents when asked about the worst mistakes they
see when presenting for-sale homes to clients. Don’t let one of your listings
suffer from one of these common showing mistakes.
1.
Leftover home owners
By
far, one of the top offenses cited by buyer’s agents was home owners still
lingering around when agents arrived with clients to preview the home. Awkward
encounters ranged from buyers finding sellers taking a shower, asleep in the
bed, to even the “stalker sellers” who liked to follow buyers and the agent all
over the home to see what they thought.
2.
Pets and their messes
Numerous
agents also cited the not-so-friendly dog and kitty encounters as a top
offense. Even pets left in a crate can pose a distraction since they might make
noise the entire time others are in the house. Plus, if they seem mean, the
buyer might not even step in the room.
3. Bad
smells
A
displeasing smell can really turn buyers off. Common offenses include cooking
smells lingering around the home, such as garlic, fried bacon, or fish. Also,
watch for cigarette smoke and animal smells, agents say.
4.
Critters running wild
Wild
animals and pests roaming around is a surefire way to send buyers running. It’s
horrible to find worms crawling on the floor and bats and raccoons lounging in
the attic.
5. Odd
home makeovers
Do-it-yourself
disasters were also prevalent, like doors opening the wrong way or
unprofessional paint jobs. Also, rooms not being used for their intended purposes
can confuse buyers, such as an office being used as a bedroom even though it
has no closet.
6.
Dirt and clutter
There
are a number of offenses cited when it comes to cleanliness: Dirty laundry
piles, unflushed toilets, dishes on the counter or in the sink, unmade beds,
clothes scattered about, soiled carpets, dirty air conditioner filters, and
overflowing trash cans.
7.
Personal information left in plain sight
Sellers
should be careful not to leave in plain sight important documents that may pique
buyers’ curiosity. Some agents say they’ve seen personal information like bank
and credit card statements—even mortgage payoff notices—left on the kitchen
counter.
8. Too
dark
Dark
or dimly lit houses aren’t showing the home in the best light. Particularly CFL
bulbs, by the time they light up, the buyer is gone. Energy efficient bulbs
need time to warm up before they are at their brightest, so staging
professionals usually recommend agents arrive early to a showing to turn on any
light fixtures with CFL bulbs at least 10 minutes prior.
9.
Keys missing from lockboxes
All
too often, agents arrive at a listing appointment with their client only to
find there’s no key to get in.
10.
Distracting photos
A
home has life-sized, nude photos hanging on the walls also has the power to
leave the clients racing for the door.
I hope this information is useful.
Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs,
please contact Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224. Feel free to visit us on our website or any
of our social media sites.
Have a Supreme Day!
Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders
Managing Broker/Owner - CPA, GRI, CNC
Supreme Manor Real Estate Services
1840 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 785-0127 Direct
(773) 797-9640 (fax)
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