Four Common Roadblocks to Selling a Home

A Horrible Photo in the MLS

You might be surprised how many buyers say NO! to houses simply because of terrible photos in ads or Multiple Listing Service handouts. It's even more amazing that agents let them discard a house based on that criteria, but it's common practice.

Good photos are not always easy to get. Houses aren't built on lots with thought to future photo opportunities (maybe they should be). The sun isn't always in an ideal position for the photo. The agent might not be capable of taking a good picture.

Home selling rule number one is to make sure the house is well represented in all photographs.

It's Hard to Sell a Dirty House

Some sellers don't bother to clean a house before they try to sell it, and if they don't even clean when they know people will be inspecting the house, they sure won't freshen up the paint, sort through clutter or handle odor control.

Home buyers usually think dirty houses are in need of repair, when all they usually require is some thorough TLC. After a few turned-off buyers, agents hesitate to show dirty houses. No showings, no sale.

Take a hard look at the property to make sure your house doesn't fall into the needs-cleaning category.

Curb Appeal is the Pits

Home buyers like to do drive-bys. Imagine driving by a house that's for sale and finding that the yard hasn't been mowed recently or worse, that it's full of weeds. Or seeing loose items scattered everywhere on the lawn. Or dirty windows. Or discovering that the home's color is just one shade shy of outshining the sun.

If the home's curb appeal is terrible, the majority of buyers won't even make an appointment to go inside. Improve your curb appeal before the first buyer has a chance to view your property.

Outdated, Worn Out Components

We are creatures of habit. That old vinyl on the kitchen floor has worked for a long time, so why don't the buyers like it? The dated light fixtures are just fine, too, and the sellers wouldn't think of replacing the orange shag carpeting in the family room.

Look at the house with a fresh attitude and try to see it as buyers do. How can you make improvements? If your house is listed with an agent, ask for written feedback from buyers who have seen it. If the same negative comments show up repeatedly on feedback forms, you'll know where to start working on the house.

Move carefully with updates, analyzing the work to determine which updates make sense from a cost vs. recovery standpoint.