Halloween looms at the end of October. Whether you are dressing up, staying in, watching Halloween movie marathons, or don’t celebrate at all, we made a list of what scares home buyers more than skeleton and cobweb decorations on the front porch. 

 

Purchasing a home is usually the biggest purchase of your life. Financial frights in buying a home include committing to a mortgage and wiring thousands of dollars in earnest money deposits and down payments. But what are some things inside the house that scare home buyers? 

 

5 Things that Scare Home Buyers

Here are five things that can scare away home buyers:

1. Repairs –

If you walk into the property and see broken doors and cabinets, older screens, and peeling paint, then the dollar signs start dancing across a buyer’s eyes. If you don’t know how to do repairs yourself, then you have to hire someone. Repairs can be costly, but it is not only the money that can intimidate buyers. Repairs entail unknowns and spending time and energy! Many first time buyers want a turnkey home, ready to move-in. 


2. Smells –

Nobody wants a mystery smell to greet them in the kitchen, bathroom, or closet. Smells could be from old food, trash, mold, pets, or something else, but it certainly doesn’t instill confidence in a prospective buyer! 


3. Popcorn Ceilings –

The popcorn ceilings of the 1970s and 1980s are now being scraped, which usually means some extra money allocated for their safe and thorough removal.


4. Dirt, dust, and grime –

Was the toilet last scrubbed in 1995? Is there grime on the appliances and between floor boards? Home buyers can be deterred by properties that require a deep cleaning. They either have to pull up their work gloves or hire someone to clean up. 


5. Outdated wallpaper, carpet, and wood paneling –

Certain outdated features are tough to disguise with more modern furnishings. Wallpaper, shag carpet, and dark wood paneling on walls can reduce the appeal of a listing. 


If we are honest with ourselves, then we will all admit that real estate transactions can be scary! 

As homeowners, you might be nervous that your home will sit on the market for weeks before selling or that a buyer might submit a long list of requested repairs. Our office has sold pristine listings and houses that have not had any upkeep and are in disrepair. Wherever your home is on the spectrum of new build to dilapidated, we can help. 

On a personal level, you might be scared of the change from one city to another, or downsizing from a larger home into a smaller property.

As a real agent brokerage, we hold our fiduciary responsibility with seriousness and honor. Our real estate agents carry the responsibilities of loyalty, honesty, and care in all their interactions with their clients. You might be scared of purchasing a home because a 30-year mortgage is the biggest financial commitment that you have ever made! It is scary, whether it is the first home you are buying or your 4th home! This is where our role as your trusted real estate broker comes in. 

What are 4 ways our real estate agents make a real estate transaction less scary?
1. They answer the phone
2. They listen to you
3. They draw from the experience and support in our office with the broker, marketing team, and risk mitigation to get you the answers and red carpet experience
4. They are your advocate 

Home buying and home selling doesn’t have to be scary. Let us help you.

 
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This content is not the product of the National Association of REALTORS®, and may not reflect NAR's viewpoint or position on these topics and NAR does not verify the accuracy of the content.