Every home buyer is trying to find a reasonably-priced home in a good neighbourhood. The rest is in the details.
Each buyer has a different taste and some are pickier than others. But experts tell us that wherever the property, and whatever the price bracket, there are some common deal breakers amongst buyers.
A house that’s missing cleaning, neutral paint and fresh carpets, plus ones with compromised privacy, are the top turn-offs, agents say.
Derek von Sturmer from Professionals in Auckland’s Point Chevalier says in suburban areas many homes are so close to each other you can see what your next door neighbour is doing in the lounge and vice versa.
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Buyers get put off by that.
However, there’s a way to fix it, van Sturmer suggests.
“You can get clever screening, buy it per square metre. Place the screens nicely to block the view next door to get a feeling of privacy because it could feel like being in a fishbowl.”
He also has had property-hunters who were turned off by any animal smells in the house.
Most owners make sure they clean the carpets, but some potential buyers still pick up the dog or cat smell during the viewing.
“Not everyone has $6000 to replace the carpet to add to the cost of the house which they paid half a million dollars for.”
Von Sturmer says colourful walls in the house are often deal-breakers too.
While in the 90s neutral colours such as ‘half-Spanish’ and ‘half-Tea’ were popular for lounge and bedroom walls they are now redundant, he says.
Instead of painting the walls to add colour to the house, do so through linen, bedding, art.
Bayleys Devonport agent Linda Simmon cannot agree more.
Buyers don’t like interior colours being dictated and would like to see fresh and clean walls instead, she says.
“Really strong colours can alienate. With very neutral palette everyone can see themselves living there and they can just add their own colours if they want to.”
White is everyone’s favourite classic.
Smart real estate boss Debra Hakaraia, of Christchurch, can't stress the importance of thorough cleaning enough.
Before your agent begins hosting potential buyers for open home viewings, make sure to scrub it up nicely.
An unpleasant smell, dirty carpet or even dirty dishes in the sink are a big turn off for buyers.
“People buy based on emotions, so make so make the house smell nice. Give it a little bit of paint work and get it looking the best you can,” Hakaraia says.
She also recommends investing into new towels, candles, cushions and bedding to freshen up the property and make the best first impression.
“People would say that there’s a house down the road that’s just as nice and for the same price but has a clean carpet.”
