4 Common Turnoffs For Home Buyers

4 Common Turnoffs For Home Buyers

 Today's real estate market is different than it's ever been. Since the prices of everything you can imagine have increased, buying a new home may not be at the top of everyone's to-do list. However, in New Mexico, inventory is low in most cities, which means with a bit of patience, the right buyer will come along, and when they do, you want to make sure your home makes a great first impression. Even in today's unique New Mexico real estate market, there are 4 common turnoffs you should avoid while your home is on the market; let's look at them. 

Excessive Decorations

Some Realtors will advise their clients to completely strip any personality from a home and make it a "blank slate." I don't necessarily agree with that, however, if your décor is over the top, it could turn off buyers. 

 Before listing your New Mexico home for sale, try to limit the number of knick-knacks, memorabilia, and artwork related to your interests since too much can overwhelm a buyer. Whether it's your favorite sports team, fishing, or a Southwestern theme, pack some of your belongings away and keep the theme to a minimum while your house is on the market so the buyers can envision their own belongings in the home.

Unpleasant Smells

Imagine walking up to a house you're really excited to see, only to be hit in the face with a nasty odor – major turnoff! Two of the biggest offenders are pets and smoke, but other less obvious scents that drive buyers away is too much air freshener. Buyers might wonder if something is being covered up when the house smells overly perfumy. 

 The good news is that some scents rarely get complained about and, in many cases, make buyers like a home even more. These include citrus and pine scents frequently used in cleaning supplies, freshly baked cookies, and warm fragrances like jasmine, which is often used in model homes. 

 Uncomfortable Temperatures

 Spring is here, and temperatures will continue rising through summer. Trust me when I tell you—nobody wants to step into a hot and stuffy home. We understand that running the air conditioner all day is not ideal, but if your home is on the market and the weather is warm, the air conditioning or fans must be running.  

 Looking at houses all day can be exhausting, especially during New Mexico's hot summer months, where the walk from the car to the house can make someone break a sweat. Walking into a house that does not feel cool and comfortable will make the buyers want to get out as quickly as possible and make them think negatively about your home. 

 Not Be Rude, But… You

 Homebuyers do not like it when the seller is home and watching them during a home showing. You will make the buyers feel like they're intruding, and they'll try to get out of your way as quickly as possible. So, whatever you do, do not lurk behind the potential buyers and make them feel uncomfortable. 

 If you're worried about your belongings getting taken or damaged, find a safe place to store them while your house is on the market. Remember, buyers must have a Realtor with them to gain access to your home, so if anything goes missing, it is easy to track down the Realtor who showed the house. 

If you're planning on selling your New Mexico home, we'd love to give you even more insight into the dos and don'ts. Let's get together to discuss a personalized home-selling strategy in today's real estate market.