Listing Photo Red Flags That Scare Buyers
Every home seller wants to present their home in the best light possible. Since many home buyers start out their search online these days, listing photos are essential to the selling process. But good selling photos go beyond cleaning and organizing the home. If you want to know how to make the best first impression, read on. Today we’re talking about the listing photo red flags that scare buyers.
Unaddressed Damage
A major red flag for buyers is signs of substantial work that needs to be done. These signs may be water stains, cracked walls, broken fixtures, or more. All of these point to a home that needs upgrades, and buyers may be wary of inheriting a previous owner’s problems. Even if the problem has been addressed on a technical level, leaving the evidence can leave a buyer wondering. Glaring signs of damage can distract potential buyers from seeing a home’s true potential. Before listing your home, address these problems if possible.
Pet Items
We all love our pets. However, prospective buyers can become apprehensive when they see signs of pets in listing photos. Things like litter boxes, cages, and dirty pet beds or blankets can signal stubborn pet odors. Even if you have a clean home without any odors, buyers can’t always tell from photos. While your home is photographed, move your pets’ items out of the camera’s view. This will give buyers the opportunity to see (and smell) your home for themselves. Worried about pet odors? Check out our blog about how to manage these smells in the home before listing!
Personal or Seasonal Decor
Your listing photos are a permanent home staging option. Make sure buyers can truly envision themselves in the home. Eliminate clutter that may make the home feel small, and remove overly personal touches like large photos, bold wall colors, or highly stylized decor. This is especially important for seasonal decor. If a buyer sees photos with a Christmas tree in April, they may worry the home has been on the market for a long time, which can signal something is undesirable about the home. Keep the space as neutral as possible so buyers can picture their own style in the home.
Forgetting curb appeal
The outside of the home is just as important as the inside. Making sure potential buyers have a good first impression starts with the very first photo of the front of the home! While you are working to get the inside of your home ready for photos, don’t neglect the outside. Make sure the lawn is mowed, leaves are raked, and flower beds are manicured. An unkempt yard in photos will make buyers worry the home is not well cared for.
