No matter how gorgeous your home is, it still could contain an item or two that happens to scare the pants off anyone who walks through your door. That might not be a problem if you don’t like guests, but it could be a huge problem if you’re trying to sell your place. It doesn’t take much to scare off home buyers—with so much on the line, even the smallest detail can give them a shiver or icky feeling they can’t shake. To make 100 percent sure your home-selling efforts aren’t getting tripped up on some freaky feature you overlooked, Realtor.com offers this checklist of items that can make house hunters get out…quickly.
1. Too many locks
An excessive number of door locks might prompt someone to wonder what the danger is? Thieves? Stalkers? SWAT teams? Granted, maybe you’re the “better-safe-than-sorry” type, but anything beyond two locks per door doesn’t generally sit well with buyers because they might think it’s unsafe.
2. Uncomfortable art
Perhaps you have an eclectic taste in art, and display “classy” nude photography with no shame. That’s great—but be aware that others might freak out over it. Sure, this stuff can be removed when you move out, but it might be too late—the psychological damage could already be done to the buyers who tour the home.
3. Taxidermy
While a single deer head on a wall might possibly fly in a den, stuffed dead animals generally creep people out. Only a fellow hunter or taxidermist will appreciate such décor in almost every room
4. Faulty or half-done repairs
Your house might be newly renovated, but if those upgrades weren’t done to code or lacked the proper permits, your buyers will beat a hasty retreat. Even worse are repairs that are not yet complete. Bottom line: Even if you are hoping to sell your home “as is,” make sure the house at least looks like it isn’t falling apart.
5. Unfriendly pets
No matter how much you love Fido or Fluffy, not everyone is comfortable around animals. Some might harbor bad childhood experiences with cats and dogs, or suffer from allergies and worry the effects might linger, even after your pets are gone. The best option is to board your pets with a friend or family member while your house is for sale—or at least get them out of the house whenever someone visits.
6. Dust and dirt
Don’t tell yourself that those cobwebs are just part of your Halloween décor. Your house has to be spotless to attract buyers. Whether it’s an oven that’s never been cleaned, a refrigerator with 6-month-old Chinese food or a laundry room piled high with dirty clothes, remember that people want to buy a home that looks shiny and new.
7. Mystery smells
“Mystery smells” or a vague scent of your beloved pets or mold are going to cast a pall over a home showing. That’s why many real estate agents bake cookies, which serve double duty as both an air freshener and a buyer-seducing snack. You also might want to try remedies such as air fresheners or candles, and sometimes you just need to replace carpet before placing your house on the market.
8. Hair-raising decor
An epidemic of outdated wallpaper and wood paneling. Garishly purple bedrooms. Popcorn ceilings. At one point in time, these fads were in vogue. However, buyers don’t like traveling in a time warp while house hunting; they also don’t relish burning loads of cash to bring the home into the present.