Top 12 Warning Signs Causing You To Lose Out On Your House Sale

The spring home buying season is coming to a close. 

Is your house still on the market?

You may be wondering what went wrong with your sale. 

You cleaned. 

                        You staged. 

                                                 You had buyers visit.

But here you are. 

                            Stuck with your old house for the summer. 

                                                                                                         Maybe longer…

Your family and friends don’t understand it. They all have told you your house seems like a great deal.

But did you know that there are particular things buyers look for…and don't want to find?

A seller can avoid having a buyer walk out by preparing for the following:

Top 12 Warning Signs Causing You To Lose Out On Your House Sale

1 Days On Market (DOM)

Days on Market is a statistic offered on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) listings. 

While everyone knows that a house may be on the market for a couple of months, anything over 100 days is a warning sign. It signals buyers that there may be a problem with the property. If a property has been listed that long without a sale, chances are there are major issues that caused other buyers to pass.

The best way to avoid triple digit days on market is to price right, get an inspection before putting the house on the market, and to have all of your paperwork in order.

If your listing with your agent is ending, consider waiting before relisting. Make changes and take new photos.

2 Location

If the property is in a known war zone - an area where gang violence part of daily life - buyers may be wary.  

If the property is in an area where commercial establishments have recently pulled out or if there are several properties simultaneously for sale it may be a sign of trouble in the area, like the proverbial rats leaving a sinking ship.

Price your property very competitively to get it sold before your neighbors! It is likely that things will only get worse over time.

3 Environmental Hazards

Some buyers are very particular about the surrounding neighborhood. 

If there are waste dumps, nuclear power plants, large industry, or even correctional facilities nearby, some buyers will be cautious. 

The same can be said of major transportation corridors like highways and railroads. More recently buyers have become concerned about power lines and cell towers.

If a buyer brings up a point, try to address the issue in the most positive way possible. 

If you have positive information on new zoning, let the buyers know.

4 Foundation/Structural Problems

Once buyers get out to the property, structural soundness is probably the most important consideration. 

Major structural issues can be complicated and expensive to repair. Large cracks in the foundation, walls or floors that cause doors or windows to jam are a signal of potentially major repairs in the future.

Most buyers wouldn’t be surprised to see some hairline cracks in a house. If there are issues in your property, a structural engineering report may help you convince buyers that the issues are not serious.

If you can afford to do so, make the necessary repairs so buyers don’t have that headache after purchase.

5 Roof Problems

Next to structural issues the roof is the next place buyers look for trouble. 

Any roof damage can cause water infiltration in the house. 

This is the start of other issues, like damage to drywall and possibly mold and rot. Any signs of leaks or water damage will be a big warning sign to buyers.

Before you put your house up for sale, have the roof inspected if you suspect damage. Attend to anything that needs repair or replacement.

If you still have water stains from leaks that were repaired, make the necessary cosmetic changes, such as fresh paint, to give buyers peace of mind.

6 Stains on Walls, Floors, or Ceilings

Water damage may also come from plumbing problems. 

Stains in the house are a warning sign that issues may lurk behind the ceiling, walls or floors. 

Buyers will think twice about buying your house if they suspect major renovations or hazardous mold are in their future.

Address any issues immediately. 

No buyer wants to inherit your problems! 

The sooner the work is done, the less likely the damage will spread.

Keep receipts handy so buyers can know if they will be covered by a warranty.

7 Mold & Rot

Damaged surfaces are a sign of trouble to any buyer. 

Wood rot and mold are often side effects of leaks.

If a buyer sees damaged surfaces they may think there still is a bigger issue present and walk away. 

Mold has a distinctive smell that alerts savvy buyers to trouble.

If there was water damage that was addressed, make sure that all surfaces in the surrounding area were inspected and that all necessary repairs were done.

8 Pest and/or Insect Problems

In addition to water damage, pest problems will also be a cause for concern to buyers. 

A lot of people are squeamish when it comes to pests in - or around the exterior - of the house.

Make sure that any problems are resolved and that you clean thoroughly before putting the house up for sale. 

Be prepared to show contracts and certificates for pest control. Warranties give added peace of mind.

9 Odors

Buyers might object to the lingering odor of your cabbage or fish dinner from the night before – avoid any strong-smelling food the days before you expect visitors.

There are other more serious odors that will give them cause for concern. If there are odors from the drains, it may indicate that there are plumbing or sewage problems. 

If the smell is from mold or moisture –either from previous water damage or a damp basement, address the issues before the house is put on the market.

When the smell is coming from a nearby factory or highway, there may be nothing you can do. If this is an occasional occurrence, be sure to let buyers know that this doesn’t happen every day.

Fix the issues you can, and be prepared to address any concerns about the neighborhood.

10 Hazards

One of the biggest hazards is an old or faulty electrical system. 

Be sure breakers and wiring are in good condition and fix anything that is questionable. These days picky buyers don’t want to buy problems – even at a reduced price.

If your house was built before 1978, be proactive and prepared to show the results of testing for lead paint. 

Radon, carbon monoxide, and asbestos may also be a concern to buyers looking at older properties.

Buyers will have this tested during the inspection period, so be prepared to show your own testing results.

11 DIY and Unpermitted Work

Everyone loves watching those home renovation shows. What buyers don’t love are repairs and renovations that are botched by well-meaning property owners. 

Unless you are extremely handy, hire professionals to do repairs and renovations before putting your house up for sale. 

This is also advantageous because you can show buyers warranties and permits for the work.

Be critical about work you have done yourself. 

Would you accept the quality level if you were the one buying? 

Be prepared to show all invoices, permits and warranties to buyers.

12 Old HVAC

Old heating or air conditioning systems may cause your buyer to pause. 

No one wants to buy a house with an HVAC system that is on its last breath. 

It can be costly to replace, be energy inefficient and cause leaks or gas build up in the house.

If you do not plan to replace the old systems prior to sale, have them serviced and show any written concerns to prospective buyers. In that way, it will be one less surprise on the inspection report.

If your home is still on the market, summer can be a very stressful time. Most people are not focused on buying a house at this time of year. This may extend the time it takes to sell your property.

If selling during the summer isn't something you wish to consider right now, we can help.

If you have come to the realization that it is time to move right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for market, we can help. 

If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this summer, then there are people who specialize in the sale of properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve the situation quickly. We have a team of professionals able to assist you immediately.

Contact us for details.

So thanks for reading my post. I'm so glad you're here! 

And I really look forward to getting into more great stuff in future posts -- so that you can 

Turn Your House To $OLD!

Feel free to ask me any questions through the contact info below. I would be very happy to help.

Linda  623-335-2662

Write to Turn My House To Sold

Turn My House To Sold on Facebook

More Info

_____________

Article Sources:

Lynda Bathory

Check It Once, Check It Twice. Make Sure EVERYTHING Is Nice!

Why Can’t I Sell My House?

4 Ways To Lose Your Buyers

It is every house sellers nightmare: Your house is on the market for more than 60 days...

You love your home and your family and friends all tell you it is great. Buyers visit, but after two months of being on the market, you still don’t have an offer.

You start telling yourself stories. It’s not the right time of the year - even though spring and early summer are prime time for selling. Maybe it’s because there are so many houses on the market in your area, but really you have just seen one or two others for sale in your neighborhood. Maybe it’s your house's layout – although you really can’t easily change that.

Stop the psychobabble about what is wrong with your house. It may be time to face the truth and take a hard look at the good, the bad, and maybe even the ugly.

What matters is that you make the necessary changes to sell your house now.

If your family and friends won’t tell you what they really think, it may be time to bring out the big guns. Casually question visiting buyers and ask for their opinion. Carefully look past any hesitation to any questions you may ask them. If they pause, that may be where the issue is. If you are working with a real estate agent, ask them to gather buyer's feedback about what’s great — and what’s not.

You may not be aware of everything that is brought up, or even agree with everything potential buyers say about your house. Just remember that this is invaluable information to get your house to be the most desirable one in the area! Keep an open mind and consider all comments carefully. Remember –the customer is always right.

While you are collecting this information, it is time to review your offer – in other words, how your house is being presented for sale.

4 Ways To Lose Your Buyers

1 Messy House

The easiest way to lose a buyer’s interest is a messy home. Dirty laundry on the floor, piles of toys scattered about or even piles of paperwork are all warning signs to a buyer. Sure, all that stuff will be gone when you move, but that is not the issue. An unkempt home actually makes the buyers wonder if the house’s structure is as neglected. If it is hard for you to pick up a mess, they will wonder how you are faring on the more difficult tasks, like roof maintenance or other big projects.

All of this clutter gives the impression that your house hasn’t been kept in good order. In addition, clutter also suggests a lack of sufficient storage space in your house. Get rid of everything you are not planning to move, pre-pack any items that are out of season and if you can, move them to a storage facility near your new home.

2. Outdated Décor

It can be easy to justify outdated décor when you are moving. You may convince yourself that the new owners will change things to their own taste. However, it is important to keep your décor updated for two good reasons: Old décor can be very obtrusive and pull focus from any nice features your house may have. 

In addition, if you haven’t bothered to update the décor, a buyer may wonder what else youare letting slide. 

Wallpaper from the 1970’s implies your house’s wiring is approaching 50 years of age – because the walls are untouched. That could either mean they are superior quality – or that an electrical fire is imminent. 

The same may be true of your faucets. If they are original to the house, a buyer will think that all the plumbing is about to burst. Even if you redid all the plumbing except for the fixtures, no buyer wants the hassle of a dripping faucet in their immediate future.

The wise buyer will see these issues and want to know what lies beneath the surface! Some may just pass on your house and go for one that is more updated.

3 Offending Odor

It is easy to become accustomed to your own cooking odors, the scent of your personal products and your pets. 

If a prospective buyer finds the odors of your house to be objectionable, they may just turn around and walk out.

If you suspect odor may by the issue, have your carpets, upholstery and drapes professionally steam cleaned to remove any cooking, product, or animal smells. 

To ensure that the odor is not a result of your pets, vacuum, dust, and clean places where animal dander tends to accumulate, so that any smell does not return after the cleaning. Keep all pets and pet accessories out of the house during showings to avoid triggering any allergic reactions in your buyers.

4 It’s Not Personal

One of the hardest things for house sellers to understand is that no one likes to look at your stuff. You Love your family, you are proud of your kids’ artwork and you think your pets are the most adorable. When a buyer comes to your house, they may feel uneasy, or at least, distracted by what is in your house.

One of the best ways to sell your house is to let buyers envision themselves living in your home and becoming excited by that prospect. Depersonalizing your house is a proven trend. That means your house should have the look and feel of an expensive hotel room. Pack away personal items like family photos or children’s artwork. Furnishings should be as neutral and inoffensive as possible. Avoid displaying animal pelts, hunting trophies, religious items, and any items you think a visitor may find questionable.

You may think neutral is boring, but when selling your house, it is important to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. It might break your heart to eliminate all your personal touches, but that is exactly the point. No buyer wants to live with your personal touches. 

Some people lack the imagination to see themselves living in your house, so help them! 

You need to sell your house!

Home sellers are so bombarded with what is considered to be the “right way” to sell their houses through traditional advice and media campaigns.

There is a much easier solution for anyone selling a house that is not in picture perfect condition. There is a less known solution to sell your house without any fuss. We will evaluate your house based on its potential worth and offer you a fair price for its current condition. That means we take the market value and deduct the cost of all the work you don’t want to endure financially.

Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy their home until moving day without cleaning, fixing and rearranging. 

We are here to help you get the exact outcome you are looking for.

When you're ready to sell your house, we are ready to buy it at a great price.

We pride ourselves on making this the easiest real estate transaction you will ever take on.

If you have come to the realization that it is time to sell right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for the traditional market, we can help. We are ready to buy your house right now!

If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this spring, then we are people who specialize in buying properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve your stressful situation quickly.  We have a team of expert professionals able to assist you immediately so that you can move on with your life. Contact us and tell us what you need!

Contact us now to put your problem house behind you!

So thanks for reading my post. I'm so glad you're here! If you have a question you would like answered, just let me know! 

And I really look forward to getting into more great stuff in future posts -- so that you can 

Turn Your House To $OLD!

Feel free to ask me any questions through the contact info below. I would be very happy to help.

Linda  623-335-2662

Write to Turn My House To Sold

Turn My House To Sold on Facebook

More Info

_____________

Article Sources:

Lynda Bathory

The Home Sale Craze That Everyone Is Talking About

Everyone knows that when you need to sell your house quickly, it can be a very stressful and overwhelming process.

There are times when selling fast is the only option.

Why would someone need to sell their house quickly?

There are several typical selling situations a distressed homeowner can face:

• homeowners who are behind on payments and are facing foreclosure
• homeowners who need to relocate for career opportunities
• homeowners who own property in a different city or state from where they live
• homeowners who are tired of being landlords
• homeowners who recently divorced
• homeowners who inherited a property they don’t want
• homeowners who looking to avoid the hassles of a traditional sale

Direct Selling Is The Home Sale Craze

That Everyone Is Talking About

If you own a property you don’t want and are wondering what options you have for selling fast, direct selling may be a good option for you.

Direct selling is different from selling a house by yourself – sometimes called “For Sale By Owner.” This just means that the seller is acting as their own real estate agent. In this case, the seller would probably still need to invest in repairs and still have to wait until the right buyer decides to make the purchase.

With direct selling, we help homeowners by buying your house quickly.  We buy houses in as-is condition and fast, usually within two weeks – if that is what you, as the seller, want!  

We are ready to help you when you're ready to move on to your new life.

Why?

Our team of experts helps homeowners get through the most stressful and complicated selling situations. We take all the hassles of traditional selling and make selling your house both simple and fast. We are a team of experienced real estate professionals and our transactions are for cash.

What Are the Advantages of Selling Direct?

Selling your house directly doesn’t cost you anything. You can sell a home as-is!

While many homeowners are unfamiliar with the concept of direct home sales, it is a great option:

• You don’t have to work with a Realtor or pay those hefty real estate commissions
• You don’t have to make any repairs or worry about costly renovations to appeal to fussy buyers
• You don’t have to clean your house or worry about landscaping
• You don’t have to deal with strangers looking through your belongings during showings and open houses
• You can choose a sale date that is convenient for you and close on the date of your choice
• It's all about making this an easy transition and transaction for you

As real estate professionals, we pride ourselves on being a source of expert knowledge for homeowners, and for making this process transparent, easy, and fast for sellers.

We’ve helped many homeowners get out from under their unwanted property by solving their tough real estate situations.  Whatever your situation may be, we’ve probably seen it and we can solve it.  We strive to provide win-win solutions that benefit everyone, especially our sellers.

It is important to us to take the time to walk the seller through all of the steps of the process. Most people are amazed when they realize why this is a faster, simpler alternative for selling a house fast.

Direct selling has given a whole new level to the idea of cash house buyers. We are committed to upholding the highest standard of service which sets us apart from those pesky prospectors who come knock on your door during dinner.

We are here to help you get the exact outcome you are looking for.

When you're ready to sell your house, we are ready to buy it at a great price.

We pride ourselves on making this the easiest real estate transaction you will ever take on.

If you have come to the realization that it is time to sell right now to have a better life, but your house isn’t ready for the traditional market, we can help. We are ready to buy your house right now!

If you are juggling too many responsibilities to sell your house yourself this winter, then we are people who specialize in buying properties "as is" - usually within a week to resolve your stressful situation quickly.  We have a team of expert professionals able to assist you immediately so that you can move on with your life. Contact us and tell us what you need!

Contact us now to put your problem house behind you!

So thanks for reading my post. I'm so glad you're here! If you have a question you would like answered, just let me know! 

And I really look forward to getting into more great stuff in future posts -- so that you can 

Turn Your House To $OLD!

Feel free to ask me any questions through the contact info below. I would be very happy to help.

Linda  623-335-2662

Write to Turn My House To Sold

Turn My House To Sold on Facebook

More Info

_____________

Article Sources:

Lynda Bathory

What To Get Done BEFORE Putting Your House On The Market

How To Prepare Yourself And Your Family For Open Houses