sellers do decide to go this route, it can scare off buyers because they’ll wonder if there are problems with the home that led to the low price, even if they can’t find them. • The home looks to be in disrepair. This could be anything from a sagging gutter to chipped paint to a messy playroom. Buyers notice the details, big and small, so it’s important you don’t give them even the slightest reason to think you’ve neglected the home in any way. After all, if you haven’t kept up the visual aspects of the house, buyers will also wonder if things like plumbing and electrical systems might have problems, too. Many people just don’t want to take that risk. So, either on your own or with a professional’s help, make sure everything’s clean, bright, smelling good, and in good working order both before you put your home on the market and again before every showing. • The home isn’t welcoming. Buyers often have a hard time getting past what they see. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to imagine themselves happily living in the space. Homes overcrowded with furniture or toys or painted with strange colors could easily turn potential buyers off. First impressions matter, sometimes to the exclusion of everything else! • A bad economy. Unfortunately, this one’s out of your hands. People can get scared about spending money on such a big purchase when they’re worried about their finances. It doesn’t mean a home CAN’T sell, just that it might be a little harder. • Too much supply, not enough demand. This one’s out of your control, too, but there are some things you can do to counter the situation. For example, I advise my clients on
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