You’re preparing a  property for a  reasonably quick sale. Since time is money you don’t want  anything involving the showing or presentation  to interfere with your profits.  Here are the top five  problems which could  turn off a potential buyer and stop your sale.

 

#1 Sale Killer – Unattractive Odors

 

Bad odors, such as pet smells or mustiness, are immediately turn-offs for buyers.

 

Male cat spray is at the top of this list because as of this writing there is nothing on the market that will totally eliminate it.

There are expensive ways of getting rid of most of this terrible nauseating smell, but you will always have traces of it to contend with. 

 

Cigarette smoke can linger for years because it gets into the walls and floors.  Many  people today are turned off by anything reeking of cigarettes.

 

Stench sends a message to buyers that the property is not as clean as if may look  and is probably not “fresh”.   They associate lack of freshness with germs.

 

#2  Sale Killer- Lack of Curb Appeal

 

The property should stand out  from the street.  That’s because the curb is your invitation to the buyer to come on in and take a closer look.

 

It amazes me that homeowners and investors spend thousands on renovations, yet allow their properties to look dismal, dumpy and messy from the street.

 

Plant some flowers which you can buy inexpensively.   Trim the shrubs, mow the grass.  Weed eat along the edges of the drive and present a well manicured look.

 

This is a major detail which will draw people in. 

 

#3 Sale Killer- Worn-out Floors

 

Buyers always pay a lot of attention to the carpets, linoleum and bathroom tile.  Afterwards, after they move in, floors will be neglected for the most part.  But the average buyer  makes an immediate judgment call for or against the property   at foot level.

 

It’s for that reason that you really need to spend more in this area, although you don’t want to blow your budget.

 

If the floors look bad, replace them.  They will probably be beyond redemption.

 

If you have to ask yourself if that worn carpet with frayed edges and holes can be cleaned, you’re really not thinking straight.

 

Tile the bathroom floors if you can afford it.  If not, go with a heavy linoleum that is scaled to fit a smaller space.  Don’t buy large patterns  that  over power the room.

 

#4 Sale Killer- Overspending

 

Amateurs  buy what appeals to them. After all, you want it to look as good as possible, right?  Not necessarily.

 

Savvy investors have the goal of making a profit.  Investment properties are not decorating projects or hobbies.  They are serious business opportunities.  Every dime must go as far as possible.

 

Does that mean there is such a thing as making a property look too good? Absolutely.

 

Granite counter tops, for example, are not suitable for a property, other than a condo,  which will sell under  $200,000. 

 

Hardwood floors can also become too much of an expense in the cheaper homes. 

 

If you’ve gone beyond your budget, you can’t suddenly raise your price just to make up the difference. The market will determine price, not your receipts from the best decorating centers.    You’ll have to take a loss.

 

#5 Sale Killer- Too Much Clutter

 

Too much stuff is almost epidemic in this country.   

 

Buyers hate clutter.  It could even cause some of them to be claustrophobic.

 

Regardless, get rid of anything which could possibly be interpreted as junk.  That may include the current tenant or homeowner’s treasured collections.   Also, pack away family pictures. 

 

Buyers want to imagine how the property would work for them.  Don’t spoil that process by making it more difficult than it needs to be.   

 

 

By avoiding these five basic problems you can save yourself a lot of time and money  in  practically any market.   

 

 

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