Selling a house is a common event that occurs, at some point, in the lives of most adults. Homes that have been well-maintained inside and out are typically hot sellers, especially if they’re in a prime location. There are certain real estate issues, however, that can cause buyers to turn around and walk out the door without making an offer. Being aware of these issues and taking steps to rectify them before listing a house on the market can help homeowners accomplish their goals.
The real estate issues that make a home unattractive vary from buyer to buyer. While every buyer’s preferences may be unique in some way, experienced sales agents say there are certain things that make it difficult to sell a house. If your home has several of these issues, you might have your work cut out to get offers.
Outdated homes pose a real estate problem for agents
You might be the type of person who loves all things vintage. This doesn’t necessarily mean that prospective buyers are going to be equally thrilled with your home’s decor if it’s a throwback to another era. Most buyers will take one look at your brown and orange shag rug, wall paneling and outdated cabinets and appliances, then turn the the other way. You might increase your chances of getting offers if you do a bit of updating before listing your house for sale.
If you aren’t sure what to update, take a look at the following list, which includes a few key suggestions that might be worth your while:
- Give walls a fresh coat of paint and remove wallpaper.
- Appliances that are more than a few years old should be replaced.
- Get rid of old, worn carpets.
- Install new knobs and fixtures on cabinetry and sinks.
- Update lighting.
Think of it this way: If it would cost more to repair your appliance than it would to buy a new one, whatever it is, needs to go. Keeping an old oven or dishwasher or refrigerator is your prerogative. Is it worth it, though, if it makes your house un-sellable? Also, a couple coats of fresh paint in a neutral color can give an instant boost to the overall atmosphere in a home. Even if you have to put some money into updating the items mentioned in this list, you will probably get a good return on your investment when the offers start rolling in!
Location issues can be problematic for real estate agents
If your house is in a prime location, you can use that as a selling point. On the contrary, if you ask a real estate agent to list your home, which is located in an undesirable area, you might be waiting a while for an offer. What makes a location undesirable? If any of these issues are relevant to your home’s location, it could work against you to obtain a sale:
- Homes that are situation alongside a busy highway or heavy traffic area are difficult to sell.
- If there is a factory nearby, it might deter buyers.
- The same goes for major commercial enterprises, like a shopping mall or airport.
- Is the neighborhood noisy, especially at night?
- A home that is located in a remote region, without easy access to roads or amenities may be challenging to sell.
Trying to sell a house in an undesirable location can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If your house is in excellent condition and has features that you can highlight, such as ample storage space, luxury kitchen or bath areas, new roof, etc., buyers might be willing to overlook location issues.
Get rid of mold and mildew before selling your house
You can be certain that a home inspector will recommend that you resolve mold or mildew issues before completing the sale. Such issues also often cause bad odors, which will decrease the chances of getting an offer. Nobody wants to live in a home that smells bad. Mold and mildew can sometimes cause health concerns, as well. Whether this type of environmental problem exists on your home’s interior or exterior, you might have a lot easier of a time selling it, if you resolve the problem before listing the house on the market.
One way to determine how ”sellable” your house is, is to assess it objectively, as if you were a buyer. Would you offer full price? If not, why not? If a seller has lived in a home for a long time, the emotional value of the home can get in the way of pricing it or selling it. It’s helpful to ask an experienced real estate agent for recommendations before listing a house on the market. Agents know what buyers are looking for, and, also, what types of issues will chase them away. The more effort you put in to updating and staging your home, the likelier you might be to find a buyer.