In a competitive housing market, you have to do everything you can to gain an edge on the competition. That means pricing competitively, making necessary repairs and upgrades, and maybe even offering concessions to sweeten the deal. No matter how much you do, though, homebuyers will always be (understandably) extremely picky, so you have to avoid anything that may put potential buyers off – especially these 6 things that will scare away buyers in Martinsburg, Hagerstown, Frederick & Charles Town .
1. Water Stains
With all the concern today about mold and the related health hazards, water stains can quickly scare away buyers in Martinsburg, Hagerstown, Frederick & Charles Town . Water stains don’t necessarily mean mold issues, but buyers typically jump to that conclusion right off the bat – and mold is probably the biggest real estate deal-breaker now. So get rid of the stains with new paint, and consider mold abatement if needed.
2. Outdated Windows
Old, outdated windows can be a big turn-off for buyers, especially single-pane windows with signs of condensation build-up. Replacing windows isn’t cheap, but you can usually recoup more than the expense at sale time. Besides, you don’t have to install top-of-the-line windows, just modern, energy-efficient windows.
3. Smells and Odors
Even if your home looks like something showcased in a magazine, smells and odors will scare away buyers in Martinsburg, Hagerstown, Frederick & Charles Town . And the problem with odors is that you may not notice them because you’ve been living with them for years. So get a third party, maybe a friend or relative, to come over and give your home a nose test. If she does detect any odors, get busy getting rid of them. Usually, deep cleaning or replacing the carpets and painting walls will do the trick.
4. Limited Storage Space
Limited storage will definitely scare away buyers in Martinsburg, Hagerstown, Frederick & Charles Town because more and more people have more and more stuff. Now, you really can’t do much about the amount of storage space (short of remodeling to add closets and cabinets), but you can do something about how it appears. You can create the appearance of adequate storage space by making it seem roomy. Get rid of clutter and clear out closets and cabinets. The emptier the space is, the bigger it will seem.
5. Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings were a boon for builders, but a bane for homeowners. They’re hard to clean and paint, drop crumbs on your floor, and date your house. Some popcorn ceilings may even contain asbestos, so it’s no wonder that they tend to scare away buyers in Martinsburg, Hagerstown, Frederick & Charles Town . It is well worth the expense, then, to hire drywall and painting professionals to get rid of your popcorn ceilings and replace them with something more appealing to buyers.
6. Poor Curb Appeal
Poor curb appeal, especially unattractive landscaping, will scare away buyers in Martinsburg, Hagerstown, Frederick & Charles Town in a hurry. For curb appeal creates that critical first impression. If you lose buyers there, you probably can’t reel them in. They may not even go inside your house to see what it has to offer. So if you don’t have the time, energy, or inclination, go ahead and hire landscaping professionals because landscaping is an improvement that yields an impressive return on investment.
As important as these things are, they aren’t the only things that can scare away buyers in Martinsburg, Hagerstown, Frederick & Charles Town and cause you to lose a sale or have to come down on price. And in today’s real estate climate you need to use every trick and tactic to tilt things in your favor as a seller. That’s why it’s so important to use a local real estate agent who knows the local market and can help avoid any missteps.