In the current health climate, more sellers than ever before are heading online to get their homes sold. This means they only have about seven to ten seconds to engage buyers and present their houses in the best possible light. Sound familiar? That’s right—home selling now shares much in common with online dating, a platform in which a good first impression earns a swipe right, but a bad one means on to the next.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make sure you hook potential buyers and avoid the dreaded swipe left. Here are the top five turnoffs to avoid when presenting a home for sale—and ensure a right swipe of interest in your property.
1. Unflattering Photos
Bad photos are the number one reason home buyers skip over a listing. This is why investing in high-quality photos from a professional photographer is a non-negotiable.
2. Outdated Finishes
If there are too many outdated finishes in your home—like tile flooring or laminate countertops—buyers who aren’t interested in paying for upgrades will move on to the next home right off the bat.
3. Too Much Clutter
Buyers don’t want to work hard to picture themselves in your home. If there’s too much clutter, they won’t be able to easily envision placing their own mark on the house—and skip it altogether.
4. Lack of Light
No one goes looking for homes with little to no natural light. When you list your house, make it as bright as possible by removing curtains and other heavy window coverings, turning on all lights, including lamps during showings, and even installing lighting fixtures with a staging professional to ensure adequate light in every room.
5. Messy Exteriors
Great curb appeal is one of the top ways to garner interest in your property, especially online. The exterior of your home is its first impression; if the landscaping is wild, the lawn is dead, and the gutters are clogged with standing weeds, potential buyers are likely to pass on all the work involved with cleaning it up.