If you are looking to sell your home, then you want it to be as attractive as possible to potential buyers. However, there are certain “red flags” that can put those buyers off, so should be avoided at all costs.
House prices are under pressure at the moment, in part due to the increases in mortgage interest rates seen since the disastrous mini-Budget last year. For example, according to the latest house price data from Halifax, between December and February, the average UK house price dropped by 2.5%.
It found that in cash terms, property prices are down by around £8,500 from the peak of August 2022.
Given the challenges faced by sellers, it’s more crucial than ever to get the best possible price when selling. That means presenting your home in the best possible light, and avoiding some of the big mistakes that can dent your chances of making a good impression on potential buyers.
Kerb appeal
Many of us are led by emotion when it comes to buying a home, so making a good first impression is vital. As a result, it’s important to think about what any viewers are likely to see first, namely the outside of your home.
As Daniel Copley from the property platform Zoopla says: “Buyers will be forming opinions on your home even as they walk up your street. Kerb appeal is very much alive and kicking.”
Clutter
When a prospective buyer enters your home, they want to get a sense of how much space is on offer. That can be difficult to do if the property is particularly cluttered.
Making sure the property is clear is therefore a smart move, with some sellers now even investing in temporary storage where they can keep larger pieces of furniture. It might seem a little inconvenient in the short term, but if it helps buyers picture themselves in the property ‒ and therefore boosts the sums they would be willing to pay for it ‒ then it could pay off.
Bold wallpaper
The way your home has been decorated can impact how desirable it will be to buyers.
Just because you love that quirky feature wall, it doesn’t mean potential buyers will. In fact, the thought of having to get rid of it and redecorate may actively put them off purchasing the property.
Elaine Penhaul, director of home staging company Lemon and Lime Interiors, says the choice of patterned wallpaper can be “extremely personal” to the homeowner.
“This can often clash with a prospective buyer seeing the potential of the room as it is often too bespoke to the furnishings and people living within the current space.”
Property maintenance
Moving into a new property is inevitably a lot of work on its own. As a result, many buyers won’t want to start that new chapter of their lives with a long to-do list of things to fix around the house.
If you are selling your home, take the time to change those lightbulbs that have blown, or to fix that door handle that’s barely hanging on.
While these issues might seem small, they can suggest to a buyer that the house has not been properly looked after, with bigger ‒ and more expensive ‒ issues lurking.
Give it a scrub
Along similar lines, it’s important to ensure the property looks its best for any viewing.
That means a thorough clean, and a close attention to detail ‒ dust down each room, and make sure there aren’t any little wrinkles, like limescale in the bathroom, that might dent the appeal of your home.
Damp and mould
One of the biggest turn-offs around is damp, according to Tim Leonard, personal finance expert at the website NerdWallet.
“Fail to address the issue and it is not only likely to reduce buyer interest, but could also come back to haunt you on a survey.”
Addressing damp is not just good sense when selling your home either, since it can lead to health issues for you and other residents of your property. Make sure it is cleared as soon as possible.
What about the garden?
While the home itself is always going to be the main focus for any buyer, having a garden included can seal ‒ or collapse ‒ the deal.
Since the pandemic, many homebuyers are far more keen to enjoy the benefits of a garden, so having one will boost the appeal of your home. However, that is reliant on it looking in good condition ‒ if it looks like a jungle, then rather than a selling point it becomes a red flag.
Take some time to get the garden looking clear, and you could see a positive effect on the price you fetch for your home.
Temperature
Finally, have a think about the warmth of your home when conducting viewings. If a potential buyer feels comfortable in your home, they are more likely to want to pay a decent price in order to buy it.
Equally, if they are cold during the viewing then that may bring up questions about whether the heating system works properly, or whether there are insulation issues.
Of course, this is less likely to be an issue in the warmer months than when selling in the depths of winter, but it’s worth bearing in mind.
