What Homebuyers Hate about your House

This can happen the moment her car drives up to the front of the house. While you may not be able to rectify issues with the neighborhood, address your house’s negative features before the potential buyer arrives.

Improve the Curb Appeal

While yard ornaments can dress up the front yard, some potential buyers perceive yard ornaments as tacky and a distraction. It is not necessary for the prospective buyer to appreciate your decorating ability; you simply do not want to turn off the buyer before he enters the house.


If you sincerely believe your ornaments add to the property, seek a second opinion from another person, such as your real estate agent. If they recommend you remove the ornaments, follow the advice and do not take offense. If you are not sure the person feels comfortable giving an honest opinion, remove the ornaments.

Prospective buyers do not appreciate the weeds and trash in the front yard or the dying bushes. They especially hate the pet droppings you failed to pick up. Freshly mowed green lawn welcomes the prospective buyer, while brown, dying and shaggy grass is a turn off. Instead of visualizing the possibilities of the front yard, they will simply see work.

It only takes a few minutes to wash the front door, removing smudges and fingerprints. Many buyers will never remember the front door, in spite of the fact this is typically where they first enter the house. The exception to this is if the door is especially attractive and dramatic, or if it is filthy. Entering a home through a dirty and neglected front door sets a poor tone for the showing.

Odor is a Major Turn Off

If the buyer hates the smell of your house, they will inevitably hate your house. Remove the smoke, pet and cooking odors. Since the person living in the home rarely notices the unpleasant odor, you might want to proceed as if it does smell badly, and take steps to improve the condition. Go lightly on strong smelling cleaning products, as those can trigger a negative reaction.

The buyer hates what you have done with the place. Sellers take offense at the fact the buyers may hate their décor, or the clutter of knickknacks and family pictures on display. Yet, if you really want to sell your property as quickly as possible, do not alienate potential buyers just because they are not capable of seeing beyond your stuff. Pack up the pictures and clutter. After all, you will be moving the stuff after you sale.

The buyers really hate the old car, RV and boat parked in your back yard. You know you plan to move the junk before escrow closes, but all buyers can think about is the hassle of hauling that junk away after they purchase your house. Remove all the old junk from your yard and house.

While not every potential buyer will love your house, it will take longer to find one that does, if your house gives a poor first impression.