Homebuyer turn-offs

Zerillo

 

When selling your home, you only have one chance to impress a buyer. Many times, a buyer will not return due to an issue that can easily be resolved pre-hand. Don’t lose a potential buyer for something that can be easily corrected.

The first thing a buyer will notice with the very first step they take into your home is the aroma of the air inside. Cigarette smoke inside of a home can be an immediate turn off. The smell of the smoke could attach itself to your walls and carpeting, forcing a buyer to repaint the home or replace the carpeting. Smells from cooking can also accumulate in the home over the years. Make sure to start smoking outside many months in advance to help the smell dissipate. Shampooing the carpets along with washing all the rugs at the dry cleaners will help as well. Use plug-in air fresheners sporadically throughout your home rotating fragrances as well. Have a friend or relative walk into your home; don’t trust the opinion of someone who lives there. Your nose can sometimes become accustom to a smell. Now doesn’t that smell better!

Next, take a look at the light bulbs throughout your home. This may not seem like a big deal to you since you have lived in the home for years like this, but are they all different? Do you have light fixtures that hold multiple light bulbs but all the bulbs are different, causing different lighting? Long story short, make sure everything matches and the lighting is consistent.

Take a quick look at the ceiling. Are there cracks or any lingering damage that need to be repaired? Spackle and paint are cheap. Take a Sunday afternoon and repair the damage. While you’re at it, how does the bathroom vanity or toilet look? Did you know that those items can be purchased for under $100 each from a local hardware store? If yours is cracked or peeling, repair it immediately.

Lastly, de-clutter the home prior to listing it. Over-the-top decorating can turn a buyer off as well. Like I said earlier, you have lived in the home for many years. You have decorated the home for yourself and your family. Now that you have made the decision to sell the home, let’s remove the “personal” aspect and leave the beauty to the eye of the beholder!

As always, list your home with a qualified real estate professional to avoid any hassles or headaches in the future!

To contact me, call 847-292-4700, email gz@zerillorealty.com or visit www.zerillorealty.com.

 

About Giuseppe Zerillo

Giuseppe Zerillo is the managing broker and owner of Zerillo Realty Inc. He is active on many boards, serving as village trustee of Harwood Heights and corporate secretary for Casa Italia. In 2011, he received the IANU Foundation's 2011 David Award for outstanding promise in the field of real estate, and in 2012 he was honored by the Illinois State Crime Commission for his community outreach. Constantly seeking opportunities to give back, he donates to several charities and raises money for children with disabilities.

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