September 15, 2021

Top 5 Things That Turn Off Potential Home Buyers

Selling a home in Alexandria VA? As the seller, your goal is to sell your home quickly while also taking home the most money. There are many things that need to happen to make this a reality, which may be in the cards for you. However, depending on the condition of your home, you may be looking at a long and tiresome road. 

Even though most areas in Virginia are seller’s markets, this doesn’t mean people are buying just anything. Buyers prefer move-in ready homes in good condition. If your home doesn’t fit the bill, buyers will likely wait for something better to come along or ask you to lower the price. 

To ensure you have realistic expectations, here are the top five things that turn away potential buyers – even in a competitive market. 

Bad Odors 

Yes, there is such a thing as “occupant odor.” These odors are specific to each household and are a mix of detergents, food, cleaning supplies and air fresheners. What you want to avoid is strong smells like cigarette smoke, pet urine, litter boxes and hamster cages. These odors can be confused for mold, mildew or just plain dirtiness, so avoid them at all costs. 

Poor Curb Appeal 

If your home has an overgrown yard, missing shutters or a cracked driveway, you’re basically telling potential buyers that your home isn’t well taken care of. Keep in mind that many people will drive past a house or look at it online before scheduling a showing. To avoid chasing away potential buyers, take some time to improve your home’s curb appeal. 

Clutter Everywhere 

When selling a home in Alexandria VA, all clutter needs to be removed. Your countertops should be practically bare with the exception of fresh flowers or a small plant. Cabinets, drawers and closets should be well organized and all clutter – laundry, toys, papers, dishes – should be put away in storage bins. 

Dings, Cracks, Rips, Tears, Etc. 

Don’t leave these types of jobs to the buyer. They’re usually easy and inexpensive to fix, unless they are the result of a bigger problem. Here are some things to be aware of, as they can be easy to miss since you’re used to living with them: 

• Broken door hinges 
• Ripped carpets 
• Torn upholstery 
• Broken or bent blinds 
• Loose doorknobs 
• Old or outdated light fixtures 
• Dirty windows 

Crazy Color Schemes 

It’s best to give your walls a fresh coat of paint before putting your Alexandria home up for sale. Choose neutral colors like grey or off white. This is especially important if your walls are painted in bold hues like fuschia or lime green. 

We also recommend giving your floors a once-over. Wall-to-wall carpeting can be a turnoff for buyers, especially if it’s worn and faded. You can swap out carpeting for stylish laminate or vinyl or offer a credit to your buyers instead. 

Get a Free Cash Offer and Sell Your Alexandria VA Home Today! 

What happens if you don’t have the time, money or desire to correct all these issues? Sell your home in Alexandria VA for cash! 4 Brothers Buy Houses purchases homes in all types of conditions – we don’t care about wall-to-wall carpet, old appliances, poor curb appeal or broken blinds. We’ll make you a fair cash offer and take your home as-is – not questions asked! 

To get your free, no obligation cash offer, contact our cash real estate investors in Virginia today!