We all have an inherent understanding that a sale can be lost under certain circumstances. In the context of selling a house, we also understand that there are a number of things that are probably deal breakers. In the spirit of Halloween, things like corpses, poltergeists, and maniacal talking dolls would likely prevent a deal from occurring.
We also understand that the first impression of your home is critical if you want to sell it, and the first impression begins with curb appeal and is bolstered (or hindered) by the interior of the house. Next to the kitchen, the most important room to would-be purchasers is the living room; certain mistakes will send these purchasers running for the hills. This article briefly discusses 4 “deal breakers” in your living room.
1. Bug Graveyards
In the words of Jim Gaffigan, “if the outdoors is so amazing, why are all the bugs trying to get into my house?” Let’s face it, you have bugs in your house. You would think it is common sense, but you want to make sure there aren’t dead bugs in your living room. It pays to check every corner of the living room, and any doors leading outside for bugs. It might seem silly that a few bugs would ruin a sale, but potential purchasers expect that what they see is the very best the home can be, and piles of dead bugs does not send the right message.
2. Your Weird Collection of (Insert Whatever Weird Item You Hoard)
Let’s be fair, not everybody loves the Lakers like you do; some sellers may be put off by a living room that doubles as a shrine to whatever you are passionate about. Remember, you are trying to sell your home to another person, not yourself. When you are showing your home, you would do well to pack up that weird collection, you’ll probably be taking it with you when you move anyways.
3. Weird Smells
We get it, if you live somewhere long enough, the smells become normal to you. However, you are selling your home to someone else, and those smells are not normal to them. Something as insignificant as cooking a particularly pungent meal in the kitchen before a showing can have an impact on whether or not you sell your home. If there is any take away from these items, it is that you only get one first impression, and you want that first impression to show how perfect the house can be – while your house doesn’t always smell like the meal you just cooked, the potential purchasers will associate that smell with your home and make a decision based on that.
4. Photos of the Family
Oddly, photos of your family can be a turn off to purchasers. While it is completely reasonable to decorate your living room with pictures of the family who lives there, it may not be appropriate to have those photos up when another family is considering moving in.
At the Chernov Team we pride ourselves on our understanding of all things real estate, and how your house is presented is certainly an important part of real estate. Small mistakes can, and do, impact the price a person is willing to purchase a house at, and often amounts to thousands of dollars for even the most minute error. At the Chernov Team we understand that whoever comes to the table most prepared leaves with the most, and the Chernov Team always leaves with the most.