Getting your home ready for buyers is about helping them picture their own life there. A few well-meaning habits can do the opposite, and quietly scare off the very people you want to impress. Here are five to avoid.
1. Lighting a strongly scented candle right before a showing
Not everyone enjoys the same scents you do. A powerful candle or air freshener during a showing or open house can discourage people from staying long enough to really see the home, and some buyers will wonder whether the house will always smell that way. Instead, clean thoroughly, take out the trash and open the windows for fresh air.
2. Leaving family photos all over the house
Buyers need to be able to imagine how they would personalize the space. When they can see themselves living there, they form a real connection to the home and feel good about investing in it. Taking down family photos and the kids’ art projects for now makes it easier for buyers to see the space as their own.
3. Hanging signs that keep buyers out of a room
Signs like “DO NOT OPEN” or “BEWARE OF DOG” can create fear or concern. “Do not open” makes people wonder whether something is broken, flooded or unappealing behind that door. “Beware of dog” can alarm buyers who are nervous around dogs, and it can color how they feel about the whole house.
