Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Picture this: your listing agent calls you, saying she’s found the perfect buyers to view your home. Your lake house checks all of their boxes and happens to be in their price range, so your agent says she’s on her way to show the property.
When they arrive, you watch from the window as they admire your landscaping and fresh coat of paint. How exciting. However, when they walk inside, you see their expressions sour.
Suddenly, you realize your listing description failed to mention the dirty windows, the live-in dog, and that litter box smell wafting through the air that you’ve become accustomed to. Before you know it, the sale is lost, and you are mortified.
In real estate, first impressions mean the world and if you botch it, there may be no second chance. So when preparing your home for the market, pay special attention to these common turn-offs for lake home buyers. After all, the sale is in the details.
Unpleasant Odors
Showing a home filled with unusual smells is a surefire way to repulse potential buyers. Odors from cigarette smoke, kitty litter, dirty laundry, and mildew can stick to walls and furniture long after you’ve gone nose-blind to them. Potential home buyers want to envision themselves living happily in your home, and any curious smells may disrupt the illusion.
To freshen up, start by opening some windows to increase circulation throughout the house. Focus on keeping a clean kitchen 24/7, since that’s where most foul smells originate. Be sure to take out the trash more frequently and check for any standing water in the dishwasher. This’ll cut down on not only foul odors but also any critters looking for a midnight snack. Also, steer clear of cooking any strong-smelling foods. This includes curry, onions, fish, and even Brussels sprouts. While all of these things may be delicious to eat, their scents linger long after dinnertime is over.
Bold Paint Colors
Professional home stager Chrissie Sutherland of Ready-Set-Stage abides by a rule of thumb for her clients: “Fun colors are for living, but neutral colors are for selling.“
Before you start showing off your home, be sure to neutralize rooms that have too much personality. You might love the brightly colored accent wall in the living room, but all a potential buyer will see is a headache when they have to paint over it.
It’s best to allow new owners to start fresh with a clean slate, so they can make the home their own. Stay away from stark white walls, which make too strong of a visual statement. Opt for grey, beige, or cream. That way, buyers will have no problems envisioning their own personal touches for the future.
Popcorn Ceilings
The 1970s called and they want their mistake back.
Popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic or “cottage cheese” ceilings, were a common feature of homes in decades past. Once used to cover up imperfections in craftsmanship, they are now widely seen as an interior design faux pas.
Such ceilings accumulate dirt, are difficult to clean, and are nearly impossible to repaint. Also, if your home was built before 1977, it may even contain asbestos. That year, the substance was officially labeled a highly toxic public health menace.
The removal of a popcorn ceiling is a messy, grueling process that could potentially be a health risk to those involved. It can also cost anywhere from $100 to $5,000, depending on how much needs to be removed. While acoustic ceilings may not cost you a sale, today’s buyers would rather avoid these outdated nuisances. Since it could turn out to be a negotiation point, you may as well be proactive and eliminate them before listing your home if at all possible.
Poor Upkeep of Your Home’s Lake Frontage
Ragged waterfront landscaping and structures can be detrimental to your lake home’s marketability and are likely to be a turn-off to those looking for a lake home. Whether it’s a dilapidated dock in need of major repairs or a sloppy shoreline with overgrown weeds, it’ll all have the same effect.
Buyers are less likely to invest in a home where the property looks like a fixer-upper at first glance. So make it easy for them by sprucing up your lake home’s curb appeal. Trim and edge your lawn, winterize the dock, and address your boathouse’s structural issues. The less work the new buyers have to imagine themselves doing, the more valuable you’ll make your home.
The process of selling a home can be a delicate transaction, and the slightest slip-up can upset the balance. Be careful not to overlook these common lake home buyer deterrents, and your experience should be smooth sailing.