If you’re selling your home in the next few months, then this list of things to NOT do when selling is a must-read (and it comes with a totally free printable checklist to help make it even easier!).
Make sure you follow the list, check that you aren’t doing any of them, and get your home staged like a pro!
You’ll be a few steps closer to selling your house as quickly as you can before you know it – and that would be great, wouldn’t it!
Are you ready to make sure your home is ready for selling?
Along with doing all the thing you should do to stage your home well, there are quite a few things that you shouldn’t do as well.
Make sure you follow these and you’ll be nearer to that sale in no time.
After all, the process of selling your home can, without a doubt, be stressful, and one thing I can be sure about when writing this post is that if you are looking to sell your home soon you will want to do it as quickly and as easily as possible.
… and while selling your home IS largely dependent on the current market, the price you want, the location etc…, if you’re serious about getting your home sold then you can do quite a bit to help the process.
In fact, presenting your home properly from the beginning will help to minimise the time it spends on the market, and the number of viewings you need to have before it sells – perfect!
Related: A to Z of Home Staging – literally!
So – do you know what things may be hindering your sale? The 13 things identified in this list are the worst offenders, and you need to steer clear of them at all costs!
– don’t say I didn’t warn you…..
Let’s get started, shall we…
#1 – Don’t Show Day To Day Life
First and foremost, you need a buyer to fall in love with your home, and the lifestyle they could have in it.
Moving house is all about imagining what life will be like somewhere else – and most buyers look with rose tinted glasses (at least initially) – so the last thing you want to show them is that life is exactly the same in your house as it is in theirs!
For the time being try and minimise everything so that when your property photos are taken, and when viewings take place, it’s easier to tidy around and take away that day to day life that all of us (in reality) have.
Things like:-
- No washing drying on the line or in the utility or on radiators
- No toys lying around to trip over or add to the feel of clutter
- No paperwork piles lying around
- Beds made
- Everything stored away and tidy as much as possible
- No cupboard doors or drawers left opened or ajar
#2 – Don’t Leave Red Flags
If you have anything on show that looks like it needs fixing, or looks to involve work and/or money to make right – you are leaving yourself open for lower offers or no offers from potential buyers.
Buyers look to find areas that they can reasonably offer lower for your property – don’t leave money on the table – it may take a day to go round and sort everything out – and that’s time well spent.
TIP – go through your house and write a snag list of all the jobs that need doing – then either work through them yourself or give the list to a handyman to get done for you – this list will be easier to quote against and can act as a checklist for the jobs as they get done
#3 – Don’t Be Negative
If you do the viewings yourself – never be negative about your home. Never apologise for things – and let the buyer make their own mind up about everything.
Above all – never give a negative reason for why you are moving.
Buyers always ask “Why are you moving?”, and how you answer this can be crucial. Never lie, but always try to focus on the positive reasons for selling.
Are you moving due to lack of space, or the fact that it’s too far from a good school? What about the noisy road? All these reasons will leave the buyer with a bad impression of your property.
Try something more positive (as long as it is true!), such as “I need to be closer to my work, but will miss this house” or “We are moving to be closer to family, but are sorry to move”.
If space is the issue, then try and ensure that rooms aren’t cluttered as this will show buyers that you don’t have enough room – this is the time to use off site storage if needed so that your home can look its best.
#4 – Don’t Present Your Property Badly
Focus on staging your home to ensure that everything looks as good as it possibly can.
The buyer will then be able to more easily visualise themselves living there.
Create the vision for them; don’t assume that they can see past your possessions and tastes.
It’s critical that the first glimpse of your home makes a buyer want to see more – so ensure that your marketing photos are amazing – and just as crucial is that you make sure that the house looks the same as these photos for any viewings.
#5 – Don’t Carpet Your Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the key rooms to get right when staging for sale.
Along with the kitchen, this room is one that the buyers will buy fully furnished.
Buyers need to see themselves using the space, and feeling good about it. Carpet holds water and dirt, which can create damp and smell – and who wants to inherit that?!
Fitting an inexpensive lino creates a much cleaner and fresher look.
Grab Your Own Copy Of These 13 Things – For FREE!
Your very own copy of these ’13 Things to NOT do when selling’ is waiting for you in the Free Printables Library (available to all VIP subscribers).
To get FREE access to the entire library simply click the button below – hope you enjoy!
#6 – Don’t Over-Personalise
We all have our possessions and photos on show in our homes.
It’s a private space away from the rest of the world, but having so much of your personality on show will both distract the buyer from looking at the space available and could possibly make them feel uncomfortable invading your privacy.
Try and make the buyers feel welcome and want to stay there, while visualising themselves in the space. Keep a few key items on show, but pack away the rest ready for moving.
#7 – Don’t Use Garish Colours In Your Decor
Decor is a very personal choice – and while you may love your bright orange kitchen walls, a buyer may well be put off the whole house for this one thing.
In todays market, buyers want to ensure that they don’t have to spend anything on the property immediately after they buy (unless its being sold as a do-er upper of course).
Any sort of bright decor means that buyers furnishings may not go in the room – which means added expense and hassle in the buyers eyes, and may just mean that the next property which has more neutral colours will win when they are choosing which to buy.
Make it easy for your buyer to visualise their stuff in your home by neutralising the decor. This doesn’t have to be boring – just pick softer versions of the colours you have already.
For the cost of a tin of paint, you will do wonders for your homes perceived value.
#8 – Don’t Show Clutter
The most used reason for moving house is that people need more space.
If you show a home that looks cluttered – that looks like it doesn’t have enough storage for you – then a buyer will think the same – and simply move on to the next house on their list.
Want help decluttering? Why not take a look at the decluttering articles on the site, and specifically the tips to declutter when selling
#9 – Don’t Ignore The Competition
When you are selling your home, you are competing with all other properties for sale in your price range, with a similar specification as yours.
Take some time to look at the competition.
You want to ensure that you property looks like the best value for money, and creates the best impression to your potential buyers.
#10 – Don’t Hide Value
Do you have original tiles or floorboards?, a blocked in fireplace? – any of these things will add potential value to your property – so uncover them and fulfil your homes potential.
#11 – Don’t Block Light – Or Views
If you have net curtains or voiles, and a good view from your window, then take your nets down while selling the property.
The room will automatically feel more modern, brighter, and spacious – all things that will add value to the house.
Get your FREE copy of this printable HERE
#12 – Don’t Allow Your Pet To Alienate Your Buyer
Some buyers won’t like animals, or may even be allergic to pets – and as such if you have your dog/cat around during viewings (or if your home simply smells of animals), you may well alienate your buyer as soon as they walk through the door.
Ensure that your pets are out of the house if at all possible during viewings – and that carpets are cleaned to eliminate smells during your staging – this really could mean the difference between “for sale” and “sold”.
#13 – Don’t Waste Valuable Space
Do you have a SPARE room? One that is a dumping ground for things?
If a buyer sees this – then they will see no reason for that space – and think of this as paying for space that’s not required.
Always give your rooms a clear purpose – and ensure that the buyer can see exactly what rooms there are – create a guest bedroom / study etc… with any spaces you don’t currently utilise to the max.
WOW – Lots of things to NOT do when selling your home…
I’m sure that’s been food for thought, and has possibly lots to do now to ensure your home looks amazing when those buyers walk through the door.
Getting prepared now will be worth it when you get that all important sale!
Don’t forget to get your FREE printable of these things in the Printables Library – go HERE to get access.
… and if you want some ideas now of what TO DO when selling?
This fun A to Z of home staging will really take your home to another level on the selling playing field!
