The Deals and Duds of Westchester's Real Estate

Jun 13, 2008

05:45 PM

Buyer Turn-Offs

Despite the fact homebuyers are each looking for different things, there are common issues that will have almost any buyer turning up their nose at your property. Below is a list of the top turn-offs for potential buyers, compiled with help from Michael F. Levy of Grand Lux Realty, Inc. (Armonk 914-273-9688; grandluxrealty.com). Heed the advice lest you want would-be buyers darting out the front door.

Sellers Who Hang

Unless you have the power of invisibility, you should not be present during showings. Homebuyers feel awkward about opening kitchen cabinets and staying for a protracted look at the house if the seller is home.

Odors

Cigarette smoke, pets, stale cooking, and mildew are the biggest culprits here. Make sure carpets, draperies, and other fabrics are clean and smell fresh.

Curb Appeal

Your home must look inviting and grab the buyers’ attention in a positive way the moment they pull into the driveway. Landscaping and the façade—no peeling paint please—are critical.

De-Personalize

Remove personal items like family photos (you know the ones; like the time your daughter insisted both mom and dad dress as pink Power Rangers for Halloween), your kids’ growth charts, model car collections, and other dust collecting-type objects from the house. Buyers want to imagine their family in the house, not yours.

Damp Basements

Nothing scares buyers like the thought of three-feet of water turning their basement into a miniature Croton Reservoir. Basement water is usually the result of rainwater flowing toward the foundation instead of away. Clogged underground drains, no rain gutters along roofline, and downspouts directed the wrong way might be possible causes.

Gone to the Dogs

Fido the 180-lb mastiff may frighten some and annoy others, especially if he’s the type to bark at and/or jump on visitors (then of course there’s the issue of avoiding the smelly “landmines” up the front walk). Remove pets during showings when possible.

Overly Furnished Rooms

Buyers may not have a lot of vision. Furnish rooms minimally as they should be used, so buyers can imagine themselves using that room.

Repairs Needed

Houses for sale don’t necessarily need to be in top renovated form, but they should be in good repair. Broken windows, doors, poor sheetrock, gutters with plants growing in them, and other unfinished repair jobs will turn off a good portion of the buyer pool.

Clutterville

A clean and orderly look is inviting; messy and cramped is not. Spaces, especially smaller rooms, will seem tight with a lot of clutter.

Bright Colors

Not a Bright Idea—Paint should be fresh and neutral-colored. Paint over the blues, pinks, and yellows with beige, white and off-white.

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