Is it time to sell your Southern Maryland Home? There are some common turnoffs that could have the potential buyer turning around and walking out the door. Here are a few to consider if you want the best chances for selling your home at top dollar:

 

Pets

Walking up to a home for a showing you want to take in curb appeal and feel welcomed.  A territorial dog barking over the fence or at the front door may scare some and irritate others.  It is best to take the dog with you or contain them in a crate during showings. Some sellers may leave their fur baby in a garage or one bedroom during a showing, this too is a turnoff.  If a potential buyer cannot inspect every area of the home, they may walk away feeling as if the seller is hiding something.

 

Aesthetics

To each his own when it comes to home decor but if you are looking at attracting a buyer, it is best to decorate or stage to the taste of the masses. Repaint any walls that may have bold and bright colors to a more neutral tone. Remove any busy wallpaper or stencils.  Remove bulky furniture that may make the room look smaller. Declutter shelves and countertops, organize your cabinets and storage areas, create a space that the potential buyer is able to picture themselves in.

 

Odor

No one likes an unpleasant odor. If your home smells of pets, cigarette smoke, mildew or mold, chances are you will sabotage your sale. Ask a favor of a friend or your real estate agent to bring a fresh nose in for a sniff as you may not be able to detect the smell yourself. If an odor is detected, take action to eradicate it. Paint the walls or remove or shampoo your carpets. Don’t try to mask the smell, get rid of it.

 

Cleanliness

Make sure your home is thoroughly cleaned. This is especially important in your kitchen and bathrooms as any ounce of grime is an instant turnoff. In your bathrooms, scrub the grout, clean the tiles and basins, make sure the toilets sparkle. Go the extra mile and change out the shower curtains and towel holders.  In the kitchen, line your cabinets so they look fresh and clean.  Clean the oven, remove any signs of grease, clean out the refrigerator and organize any food that goes back in.  Remove your small appliances from your countertops, the more counter space the better. This extra effort makes a huge difference in the viewing of your home.

 

Light

Dark and crowded rooms are a huge turnoff for buyers. Remove bulky furniture and heavy dark curtains. Accentuate all of the natural light you can, adding additional lighting if need be. If you notice the natural light is being blocked by a tree limb, cut it back. Clean your windows so they sparkle. You want your home to be bright, pleasant, and welcoming.

 

 

Outdoor Clutter

Curb appeal and outside space is a big plus for buyers, so it important to spruce it up and remove any clutter you may have lying around. While a tire swing is cute and appealing, a stack of used tires is not. Create attractive and usable spaces outside. Maybe some garden beds in the front of the home and patio space with seating in the back.  Roll up the hose, clean the gutters and rake the leaves. Cut the grass, pull the weeds and plant some flowers. With a little elbow grease, your outside space could be the key to selling your home.

 

If you’d like a recommendation for an experienced, local Realtor, or if you’d like to get preapproved for a mortgage prior to shopping for your next home, please get in touch. I’m always happy to help.