Surprising Things That Might Turn Buyers Off From Your Home

Surprising Things That Might Turn Buyers Off From Your Home

Selling your home in today’s market isn’t as easy as just putting a sign in the front yard and hoping for the best. Today’s home buyers are some of the pickiest we’ve seen. So even though you’ve painted the walls and decluttered, potential buyers still might be turned off by things you may not even notice. Here are some unexpected homebuyer turn-offs to avoid.

Cheap remodels

The fix-n-flip home used to be something homebuyers looked for, but today’s buyers are reluctant to buy a home that has the standard beige walls, white kitchen, and vinyl floor remodel that fix-n-flippers are known for. A poorly done kitchen renovation with low-quality cabinets and appliances, or a bathroom remodel with subpar tiling and fixtures, could be a major turn-off for potential buyers.

It used to be recommended that sellers upgrade areas like the kitchen or bathroom before selling, but now that might not be the best idea. Many buyers like the idea of having a house with character or want to take on home projects. So, save your money and don’t do any quick, cheap remodels before listing your home for sale.

Outdated technology

Homebuyers are getting younger. Despite the media telling us that young adults have been priced out of the real estate market, Gen Z is buying homes at a younger age than the previous generations. We’re not suggesting that you put a ton of money into updating all of the technology in your home, but don’t be surprised if young homebuyers raise an eyebrow at some of the seemingly standard parts of your home.

Want to know one of the biggest culprits of outdated technology? Phone jacks. The house phone has slowly died out; believe it or not, there are home buyers out there who have never used one! For them, seeing this strange port in the wall might make them wonder and worry that the rest of the home systems are outdated as well.

Messy outdoor areas

You already know that curb appeal is crucial, but don’t forget to keep the backyard looking neat and tidy as well. A yard full of weeds and overgrown plants is a huge turnoff to buyers. No matter how nice the rest of the house looks, if the backyard is a mess, all buyers will see is time-consuming yard work in the future.

Buyers aren’t just looking at the landscape, either. If you have a patio space, make sure the furniture looks clean—or remove it altogether. Before showing your home to buyers, make sure the lawn is mown, garden beds are mulched, and any seating areas look clean and inviting.

Too much carpet

Carpet used to be the standard flooring material in homes, but that is quickly changing. While some buyers love the warmth it brings to a space, many see it as being high maintenance, difficult to clean, and a good way to capture allergens in the home.

If your house has carpet, don’t worry - you don’t have to remove it and replace it with something else. Just make sure the carpet you do have is clean. Having it professionally cleaned before listing your home for sale might be a good idea. However, if the carpet is severely worn down and dirty, be prepared to hear buyers complain about it and site it as a reason for a lower price on their offer.

There’s a buyer for every home

Selling a home can be a lot of work. However, staying ahead of the thing’s buyers may not like about your home will make the process easier. No, your home doesn’t need to look like a new-build model home, but there are some small changes you can make before listing it to make it more attractive.

If you ever have questions about buying or selling a home in New Mexico, give us a call! 505.450.3779 Alfonzo Salazar