Bill Effros, a real estate author and investor, once dropped by the home of an acquaintance who’d long been frustrated in his attempt to sell his property. Effros quickly identified a major issue holding back the sale.
Quite simply, many of the closets were over-packed. The most egregious example was that of an enormous walk-in closet which adjoined the master bedroom.
“I laughed out loud when I saw this closet. Though it was at least 400 square feet in size–as big as a large formal dining room–it was stuffed with everything from men’s suits to exercise equipment to bicycles,” Effros says.
Many factors can stand in the way of a successful home sale. Overpricing is at the top of the list. But crowded closets can also be a deal-breaker, he says, even for homes that have many positive attributes.
Obviously, there are other ways sellers can hinder their chances of getting a good deal. Here are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid:
Displaying your political preferences. Eric Tyson, co-author of “House Selling for Dummies,” says it’s unwise to display political signs while your home is on the market.
“It’s a free country, of course, but you risk offending half the population when you wear your politics on your sleeve. It’s foolish. You don’t want to give people a reason to tune you out and reject your house,” says Tyson, a personal finance expert.
Even if they agree with your political stance, he says some cautious buyers could worry that one political persuasion dominates the community.
He also recommends you shy away from overt manifestations of your religious views–whether inside or outside of your property.
Letting your children stick around during showings. Effros says kids shouldn’t be present–nor should the parents, for that matter. Besides drawing attention away from your home, children have the potential to blurt out statements that are best left unsaid when buyers are around.
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“Kids just aren’t savvy. They might say they hate their schools or that their mom and dad used chewing gum to caulk the windows,” Effros says.
Keeping your pets on the scene. Effros contends it’s hugely important to your sale that your animals be removed during showings.
“Many people–including those who cherish their own pets–will be annoyed by the smell of yours. And others will be irritated by their behavior. Still others might be allergic to dogs and cats,” Effros says. “The kennel charges will be cheap compared to the costs in money and inconvenience of an unsold home.”
Showing your home when it’s crowded with furniture. Suppose you have a collection of fine 19th Century antiques of which you’re immensely proud but which actually overfill the rooms of your house.
Should you leave all this high-end furniture on display when your property is on the market? Absolutely not, Effros says.
“First of all, visitors trooping through your home could imperil your antique collection. And second, these exquisite pieces might distract people from looking at the house itself. Your place will seem more like a museum,” he says.
Even commonplace furniture can slow the sale of your home if too many pieces are packed into your rooms.
“That over-stretched look makes any property seem smaller than it really is and could be off-putting to buyers,” Effros says. “Since you’ll be moving anyway, you might as well pack up all that extra furniture and put it in storage.”
Failing to do those pesky household tasks on your “to do” list. Effros doesn’t believe in spending large sums to prepare a home for sale unless you’re convinced you’ll recoup at least $2 for every $1 you spend to make the changes.
On the other hand, it’s essential you fix small and thorny household problems that could slow your sale.
“I’m talking about those little chores like broken light fixtures, faulty garage door openers or broken window panes. Unless repaired, these minor issues could drive away one of your top possible bidders,” he says.