When your house is on the market, you know it needs to look its best to attract the right buyer. From shiny windows to spotless worktops, it’s not easy to keep a home clean and tidy for viewings. And while you can’t be on cleaning on duty all the time, there are a few things you can do to avoid turning buyers off.
At Brookings, it’s our aim to get you the best price for your property, whether you’re selling or looking for new tenants. As agents, we always aim to work in partnership with our sellers to maximise value and move the sales process along as quickly as we can.
And while we can’t clean your property for you, we can give you our top reasons potential buyers can be put off a property.
1. Smells
How your property smells when buyers attend a viewing is important, almost as important as how it looks. Science has shown that smells and memories are interlinked, and if your house doesn’t smell great, then that’s what a potential buyer will remember. Strong smells to avoid include cooking aromas like frying onions or fish, cigarette smoke (a huge turnoff for buyers), pet odours and a smelly bin.
Strong artificial smells such as air freshener, bleach, other cleaning solutions and plug-ins can also be off-putting. Keep your home fresh smelling and air it out prior to viewings.
2. Clutter & Mess
This one is a no-brainer when it comes to selling your home. Pack up that clutter and make sure your floors are clear of debris when a viewing is planned. Not only will clutter-free homes look more spacious, but they will also look and feel cleaner than those crammed with stuff.
3. Damp and/or Mould
Patches of damp or mould may not be serious issues, but they will be a huge turn-off for prospective buyers. For them it could indicate underlying problems that they just don’t want to deal with. Always try and treat damp and mould issues as soon as possible. Even if a buyer doesn’t spot them, their surveyor probably will. To avoid these unsightly (and sometimes smelly) problems, make sure to ventilate your home, especially bathrooms and laundry rooms, avoid drying clothes indoors, wipe away condensation, and invest in a dehumidifier.
4. Poor Lighting
As well as opening the blinds and curtains to let natural light in, you need to think about the overall lighting in your home. If a home is poorly lit it looks dark and uninviting, so invest in some brighter wattage light bulbs or add in some lamps to create a cosier atmosphere.
5. Poorly Kept Exterior
The front of your home needs to be well kept. If smelly bins or old car parts are the first thing a buyer sees, it’s not going to create a good impression. Take some time to sort out the front of your house. Some potted plants and a good sweep will go a long way. Fixing broken guttering or badly cracked paving will also help to boost first impressions.
6. Dirty Laundry
No one wants to air their dirty laundry, especially when you’ve got potential buyers coming round. Overflowing laundry baskets, underwear drying on the line, smelly piles of washing; none of these things will appeal to potential buyers looking at your home. Make sure you put dirty clothes away and tidy up any clothing lying around in the bedrooms.
About Us
Based in Romford, we’re experienced estate agents and have sold thousands of homes all over East London and Essex including Hornchurch, Upminster, Barking, Dagenham and Havering. Our team can offer advice and practical tips when it comes to selling your home.
We’ll always try to arrange viewings at a time convenient to you and can even arrange an open day to minimise disruption to your busy schedule.
So, if you’re ready to put your home on the market, or maybe you’re looking for a new agent to sell your home with, give us a call on 020 8591 9088 for a quick chat.
We look forward to working with you.
