The owners probably even thought
they did everything right: cleaned the house, invested in kitchen upgrades, had
the shutters painted and put out a tray of fresh baked cookies the day of the
open house.
Sometimes a home that looks
beautiful at first glance contains little tidbits that can cause that listing to
get stuck in housing limbo.
Click here for five little reasons
that could stop a home from selling. Share this list with your clients.
- Rowdy
Neighbors
Your client decides that they are
ready to have an open house, which happens to be the same day that Johnny, the
high school senior next door, happens to be throwing a keg party.
Obnoxious neighbors can stop
prospective buyers from wanting to come into the neighborhood. If your client
has rowdy neighbors, urge them to have their open house on a time and date when
they know their neighbor usually isn’t home. Having to work around someone
else’s schedule will be worth it in the end. Don’t let their neighbor’s loud
ways bring down your client’s beautiful house.
- Animal
Farm
Your client lives alone and has four
cats, two dogs and a bird for companionship. These furry friends can cause a
big problem when people are touring the home.
One of the first things you
should advise your client to do is leave the animals with a friend or family
member so they don’t pounce on any of the prospective buyers during an open
house.
You should also make sure they have
the carpets shampooed and the house sprayed with air freshener. Make sure that
any liter boxes or food dishes are clean. No one wants to smell cat pee or
cough on dog dander as they view their potential new
home.
- Décor
Horror
The current home owner has Halloween
decorations up—one problem, it’s May.
If prospects see old decorations
hanging, it will look like the home doesn’t get taken care of often. Make sure
any decorations are subtle and match the current
season.
You also need to be careful of your
clients’ personal tastes. Political symbols, rock music posters or any
seductive pictures may turn off buyers. As people tour the open house, the
place needs to look like something the prospective buyer can call home.
Politely suggest that your current client puts any iffy personal decorative
items into storage.
- The
Yard from Hell
Sometimes the most beautiful houses
have the worst yards. Nothing ruins a perfect kitchen and a gigantic living
room like a scary backyard.
If the pool area that your client
insisted you describe as lagoon-like on your website is really a rusted, above
ground pool with overgrown trees you have a problem. Make sure that all pools
are cleaned and maintained. Tell your clients that it is vital that all grass
and other greenery are cut properly.
Other things that can ruin a yard
include: animal waste, broken-down cars on the lawn, broken objects, a rundown
shed, a rusty fence or a dirty barbeque.
- The
Danger Zone
If someone gets hurt or almost gets
hurt while touring the listing, you can pretty much be sure they won’t be
purchasing the house.
Shoes, children’s toys and computer
chords can be lethal. Make sure anything anyone could possibly trip over is out
of sight before an open house. Make sure all bathroom and kitchen floors are
dry so that no one slips. All steps should have carpet, padding or a railing.
Replace light bulbs in all the rooms, especially the
basement.
Success Notes
Bonus Tip:
Pay a visit to your client’s house a
few days before the open house to make sure they’re not about to break any of
these cardinal rules. If you see that they are in need of some help, pitch in
and help them get the property into shape.
In the Next
Success Notes…
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