The List of Pet Peeves That Turn Homebuyers Off — And How to Avoid Them

Even if your home is priced right and in a desirable location, you may be offending potential buyers without ever knowing it. Here is our list of pet peeves that can turn a buyer off — and how to avoid them when selling your home.

When someone is searching for a home to buy, gut instinct and first impressions are crucial to making a positive impact. Even if your home ticks all the boxes for you, there is a chance you may be offending potential buyers without ever knowing it. Here is our list of pet peeves that turn buyers off — and how to avoid them when selling your home.

1. Masking Issues

Whether it is odors or a failed foundation, masking potential issues to gain a quick sale could be a very costly gamble. If there are serious defects that you know about, a buyer could back out of the deal at the last minute, ask you to fix the issue or worse — involve you in a legal battle long after the deal should be done. Consider hiring a qualified home inspector to conduct a pre-sale inspection. An inspection gives you the upper hand in determining how to address the issue — and get top dollar for your home. No home is perfect. Be upfront about any flaws in your home and you will light the path to a smoother sale.

2. Overpricing Your Home

Ensuring your home is appropriately priced before hitting the market is an important factor in achieving a timely sale. Working with a knowledgeable agent — and trusting their advice — is your best bet in ensuring your home sells for what it’s worth. In real estate, the price you paid for a home has no bearing or guarantee on its selling price when you go to list. The market, condition of the home, and how well recent home sales have performed all influence what your home is worth, and having your house sit on the market because it’s overpriced will deter interested buyers.

3. Not Preparing Your Home For Sale

Buyers need to picture themselves living in your home. Giving them a clean, decluttered, and neutral space is essential. An abundance of knick-knacks, or greatly loved (but really worn out) furniture can be distracting, so consider packing them up before you list. Additionally, showing your home with overly bright, dark, or otherwise overwhelming colors can be off-putting to potential buyers who only see the price tag and effort to repaint. Repainting these rooms in a neutral palette may not be your personal taste, but it will allow a blank slate for potential buyers.

4. Making Showings Difficult

While keeping your house ready for showings and open houses can be stressful, the longer your home sits on the market, the more you will have to do it. Being inflexible with requested showing times or demanding to be present during showings can actually harm the sale process rather than help it, and may top a buyers list of pet peeves. Potential buyers will be more willing to work with you on the negotiations if you have been reasonable in their showing demands, and allowing them to view your home without you present will ease any uncomfortable feelings they may have about you being present.

5. Not Considering Your Pets

While your pets have a special place in your heart — and your home — not every homebuyer will share your view. Considering how your pets will impact buyers is an important step in depersonalizing your home. When preparing for viewings be sure that your pets are appropriately contained, as not to disturb buyers who want access to all parts of your home. If possible, removing pets from the premises completely is preferred, but if you can’t do that, ample warning through your agent is a must. Repairing any stained or damaged items caused by pets before you list will also help the overall impression your home makes.

Cpmpliments of Coldwell Banker

http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/the-list-of-pet-peeves-that-turn-homebuyers-off-and-how-to-avoid-them/

OMREB October 2015 Statistics

 

The October stats are out and the Central Okanagan board is showing a 6% increase in Residential sales.  That is great news if you are thinking of Selling your home. For additional statistical information visit:  http://omreb.com/page.php?sectionID=2 or call me 250-862-6464 with your Real Estate questions. 

Paige

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Making Your Home Ready for Sale

Preparing your home for sale takes some effort. By following these tips your home will be ready to hit the market.

Do: freshen up your home so that it shows in the best light possible. A fresh coat of paint, some landscaping and pressure cleaning goes a long way. You want to wow people from the second they lay eyes on the home so curb appeal is crucial. Be consistent from the outside in and make sure every room makes a great impression.

Don’t: overspend on major renovations that may overvalue your property. Be aware of comps and know your limits. You don’t want to spend a significant amount of time and money becoming the biggest fish in a small pond when that fish will still be worth about the same as it was before.

Do: Make your home as inviting as possible- leave a coffee table book open to a random page and a candle burning to give off a relaxed and intimate feel. Flowers are always a plus but make sure they look alive and well.

Don’t: leave out personal items or clutter in your home. Buyers need to imagine themselves living in the home and they can’t do that when all they see is your family and your life. Clearing out and cleaning up will allow them to see how beautiful the home is and will give them the opportunity to envision themselves living there.

Do: listen to advice. You hired your agent for a reason. Let him or her guide you as to when it makes sense to improve and when it  doesn’t. When it does, seek help from a decorator and/or architect. Find the best professional and let them do what they do best.

Call Paige Guernsey on her direct line at 250-862-6464 with your Real Estate questions today!

Talk to you soon…

Paige

Exciting New Price! Sprawling Lakeview Rancher

1791 Shaleridge Place

$848,800

Timeless elegance and charm is found in this sprawling rancher superbly crafted with over 6,000 square feet of spacious and comfortable living space. 4 or 5 bedrooms, 2 dens and 5 bathrooms along with multiple family, living, and games rooms make up this custom gated european styled home. Enjoy the incredible and unobstructed views of Okanagan Lake and downtown Kelowna from most rooms and all outdoor living spaces. You'll find 2 large sundecks outside, one covered and one uncovered to fully enjoy the Okanagan lifestyle. As well, there's a triple car garage with circular driveway and an extra driveway providing extra parking for both a boat and RV! There is also a 3rd level with roughed in plumbing and great views that can be finished for additional living space or in-law/nanny suite. All of this is sitting on an exceptional and private .67 acre lot. A true home of distinction. 

Call PAIGE GUERNSEY direct at 250-862-6464 or CHRISTIAN KIRSCHKE at 250-863-2000 for more info or visit www.kelownahome.com view 3d tour at https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=RKqp9Hguek2&help=1

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
MLS® 10108186

The Top 5 Home Features That Buyers Are Hunting For This Fall

Whether you’re getting prepared to buy a new home or just curious about upcoming trends in housing, there are a bevy of features gaining momentum on the real estate market. From top to bottom and room to room, here are five popular features that homebuyers will be sure to notice this fall.



Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better

There was a time when a bigger home meant a better home, but with the cost of maintenance and heating, bigger homes are experiencing a decline in popularity. Instead of sizeable mansions that look the part, buyers are becoming more interested in houses that are more economical to maintain and possess a warmer, cozier vibe.



A Modern, Up-To-Date Kitchen

Where a living room and a bedroom can often be fixed up with a layer of paint, the costs that can go into updating an old kitchen can be quite prohibitive for a new buyer. Instead of a space they’ll just have to renovate, buyers are interested in a sleek, modern looking kitchen with stainless steel appliances that offer modern conveniences.



Energy Efficient And Environmentally Friendly

While older homes can offer character and the history that goes along with them, new homes are winning when it comes to energy efficiency. With people becoming more conscientious of the environment and their impact, energy efficiency in a home is not only popular right now, but will come to be a necessity in the next few years.



Options For A Smart Home

Technology has become so ubiquitous these days that it makes more sense for buyers to invest in homes with smart features. From thermostats that can be adjusted with mobile devices to doors opened via Bluetooth, smart features are a huge part of what makes a modern home.



A Burst Of Bright Color

Muted tones can often be the best for allowing a potential buyer to envision a home as their own, but color here and there can definitely draw in the younger crowd. With bright color making a design comeback, a brilliantly bold sink or appliance can be the type of risk that pays off and has the potential to sway the right kind of home seeker.

The features that grab a potential buyer can change all the time, but certain popular trends will not be going out of style anytime soon. If you’re curious about trends that will be hitting the market in your area, contact your trusted real estate professional for some inside tips.

Just Listed! Fantastic 3 bedroom Family Home

Just move in! This fantastic family home has 3 beds, 2.5 baths, vaulted ceilings, skylights, and shows 10/10! Fresh paint, newer flooring and 5 appliances are also included. The master suite is spacious with additional sitting area and there's also a walk in closet and 3 pce ensuite. The main bath and kitchen both have skylights allowing tons of natural light in. There's a newer heat pump for energy efficient heating/cooling and the yard is fully fenced and very private. Here you'll also enjoy the above ground pool and play station. Allowing for easy additional parking or access to the back yard there's an extra gate along with 2 garden sheds. In addition, schools and transportation are within walking distance and nearby amenities include shopping, entertainment, parks and sports facilities. This home is a winner! Call Paige Guernsey at 250-862-6464 or Christian Kirschke at 250-863-2000 for a viewing. Visit www.kelownahome.com for more information and pictures.

 View virtual tour at https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Pe8UaRGwBqG

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
MLS® 10108133