Quote ~ Ayn Rand
5 Things Home Buyers Don’t Want To See
When preparing a property for sale, homeowners often focus on the things that will impress buyers, such as clean and uncluttered spaces, and well lit rooms.
But, it’s equally important to pay attention to those things you don’t want buyers to see… those little turn-offs that, although seemingly minor, can distract buyers and cause them to lose interest in your property.
For example, you don’t want buyers to see these things:
Pets. Although many people love pets, some don’t. Others are allergic to them. It’s best to take pets for a walk during viewings.
Unfinished repairs. Dripping taps. Gouges and marks on walls. Broken tiles. Home buyers will notice, and may mistakenly think there are other deficiencies lurking in your home. Do as many repairs as you can.
Clutter. It’s common for main rooms, like livingrooms and kitchens, to be clean and uncluttered during a viewing. But buyers who become interested in your property will take a closer look, and check out the cupboards, drawers and other places where things tend to accumulate. The more you de-clutter, the better your property will show.
Smells. Obviously not something a buyer will see, but he or she will definitely notice lingering odours associated with pets, garbage, exotic cooking, and smoking. Scents have a strong influence on emotions. That’s why perfume companies do so well! Make sure your home is as scent-free as possible.
You. Nothing personal. When buyers view your home, they want to visualize themselves living there, not you. Remove as many personal items, such as family pictures and trophies, as possible
Stay Cool Outdoors with a Patio Mister
Once a luxurious comfort available only at golf clubs, terrace restaurants and outdoor bars, patio misting systems are becoming very affordable options for homeowners. For those with exterior living spaces that get too much unshielded sunlight exposure or too little breeze during the height of the summer, these systems can be a welcome cooling option.
Depending on your budget and needs, including the size of the area in question, you can choose an inexpensive do-it-yourself system, or pay a plumbing professional to ensure top performance. Either way, before you decide on a system, be mindful that you will need to have access to sufficient water pressure, and may also require proper drainage or an adequate runoff slope to avoid unwanted pooling.
In addition, consider attaching your system to a supply splitter that lets you divert your water for other purposes, such as watering your lawn. For optimal performance and easy maintenance, choose a system that has nozzles that can be easily cleaned to prevent calcium build-up, and lines that can be easily drained.
Showing Tips that Turn Viewers Into Buyers
What do you want from an showing on your house? Obviously, you want to attract potential buyers — and have at least a few of them become seriously interested in your property. So how do you make your showings as successful as possible?
Get minor repairs done. A dripping faucet, a squeaky fence door, or a scuff on the wall may seem minor to you, but these problems can stand out like a sore thumb to a potential buyer.
Brighten things up. Make sure all areas of your home are well lit. Natural light has the most appealing effect. Open all the curtains.
Put away personal items. Trophies, pictures, mementos — all remind potential home buyers that they’re strangers in someone else’s home. Make each room look as impersonal yet inviting as possible. Stage your rooms as though they were in an attractive furniture store display.
Sniff around. There are probably smells around your home that you’ve become used to, or even like, such as lingering perfume scents in the bathroom or remnant odours from cooking an exotic meal. Try to make your home as scent-free as possible.
Make sure everything works. Check for burnt out light bulbs, running toilets, and derailed closet doors.
A final tip: Unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t be at the open house yourself. Your presence can be intimidating to potential home buyers, no matter how cordial and helpful you try to be.
Need more tips on selling your home quickly and for the best price? Contact me today!
Market Updates
BC Home Sales Turn Higher, Inventories at 20-Year Low
Vancouver, BC – May 15, 2017. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 9,865 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, down 23.9 per cent from the same period last year. Total sales dollar volume was $7.19 billion, down 25.4 per cent from April 2016. The average MLS® residential price in the province was $728,955, a 2 per cent decrease from the same period last year.
“BC home sales are on an upward trend this spring, led by a sharp increase in consumer demand in the Lower Mainland,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of home sales was over 106,000 units in April, significantly above the five-year SAAR for April of 89,000 units.
The supply of homes for sale declined 17 per cent from April 2016. On a seasonally adjusted basis, active residential listings have declined 50 per cent since 2012 and are now at their lowest level in over 20 years. The imbalance between supply and demand is continuing to drive home prices higher in most regions, further eroding affordability.
Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was down 31.8 per cent to $21.3 billion, when compared with the same period in 2016. Residential unit sales declined 25.0 per cent to 30,757 units, while the average MLS® residential price was down 9.2 per cent to $692,220.