Is Your Home Appealing?

Would YOU walk in and buy it right now?

The third major factor impacting marketability is the condition and appeal of your home. Does it "grab" you when you see it on line...is it on line? If a sign is in the yard and you wouldn't buy it right now, why would someone else? 

What might be considered an “issue” by a prospective buyer?

  • Cosmetics – this can range from colors, to wall paper, to decorating…your taste may not be that of a prospective buyer. It might benefit from “neutralizing” – keep it simple and let the buyer see a clean pallet. We want them to see their signature on your home.
  • Updating – buyers will evaluate condition and style. They have expectations of what should be in a home at different price points and yours will be evaluated against that. They will compare your home to others like it – granite counters, hardwood, tile, fixtures, cabinets….How does your home stack up to their expectations and the comparable homes out there?
  • Condition – tied in with the two above, but more specific. Is your home maintained? Are the windows and vents clean, vacuumed and swept, showers and sinks clean, paint in good shape, roof good, lawn mowed...will a buyer get a feeling that you have taken care of it?
  • Site – are there concerns with your lot? Is it hilly, irregular in shape, wet or limited in functional use? If there are issues, can be corrected?
  • Location – any external issues? Things like traffic, power lines, commercial uses, neighboring homes, proximity to service and support facilities…all play a role in the overall appeal of your home.

There have been studies that track a home buyer behavior and how they react to conditions around a home for sale - consider this:

  • 46% of buyers will eliminate a home after previewing it on line if it appears poorly presented or has apparent adverse issues
  • 49% of buyers will eliminate a home if it is unappealing from the curb
  • 38% of buyers will eliminate a home if they perceive it to require too much cosmetic work
  • 54% of buyers will eliminate a home if they feel it requires too much updating to bring it to standard
  • 69% of buyers will eliminate a home if they feel it is dirty, poorly maintained, has pet smells, etc
  • 59% of buyers will eliminate a home if the yard is perceived to be dysfunctional or severely limited in use
  • 70% of buyers will eliminate a home in close proximity to traffic, power lines and other external factors

Bottom line is that if your home has expired, it might have something to do with how it was received by a potential buyer. I counsel my buyer clients to be like me – we methodically go through listings on line and eliminate the majority without leaving the office. Once in the field we continue to trim the list so that we spend quality time in those homes that are the best available. Obviously you can’t change some things, but of those things you can – you must if they are hindering the sale of your home. I’ll be happy to walk your home and offer candid opinions – if the mission is to sell your home then I’ll get it done.