Home Inspectors Share 3 Things Homebuyers Don’t Want To See
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Whether you’re a homebuyer or a listing agent, there are certain things that can really turn you off when you walk into a property. Like, how about just the basics: it’s really hard to see past other people’s clutter. You’d think that would be a no-brainer, but you’d be amazed by some of the straight-up messes home inspectors encounter at homes that are on the market.
Everyone has their own trigger point, but we think there are three that no buyer wants to see when they look at a house. These are things that will probably put a listing straight into the “nope” column and keep you moving to the next one on the list.
An Ugly View
Nobody wants to look out the window and see something awful. “What can I do about a crappy view?” you might be saying to yourself. Well, you can get creative. If you have a neighbor who’s collecting trash in their backyard like this guy, maybe it’s time to get rid of that chain-link fence and upgrade to a nice 8-foot privacy fence. Does your picture window look over something not so picturesque? Have it painted with a stained glass pattern or a pretty scene, or maybe design a window treatment that’s not meant to be opened.
The point is, don’t let your trashy neighbor or your trashy view scare away prospective buyers. Give them something nice to look at instead.
Mold — Anywhere
Nothing will make buyers run for the hills faster than even a hint of mold in a house. They may have been living with black mold on their own AC ducts for 10 years, but hear one word about possible mold on a home inspection report in the new house and forget about it! Granted, mold remediation can be nothing to sneeze at (pun intended) depending on how serious the issue is.
The thing to do is keep mold from building up in the first place with proper home maintenance: change your air filters, watch out for leaks in bathrooms and kitchens, have your chimney cleaned once a year, and get your HVAC serviced regularly.
Shoddy Repairs
Whether it’s a DIY job or a poorly executed repair of any kind, finding shoddy work on a house you want to buy is a major turn-off. It makes buyers feel like the house is falling apart. “If these boards were installed without nails, what else is wrong with this house?” This kind of thing is one of the major reasons home inspectors recommend a pre-listing inspection before putting a house on the market. This way you find out all the things that are wrong before you list and can preemptively make whatever repairs and upgrades you choose to ahead of time with no surprises when a buyer comes along with an inspector.
We’d love for you to share your stories with us! What turned you off from buying a home in the past? What is the weirdest/craziest thing you ever saw in a home you toured for sale? Share your story in the comments, or email [email protected].
