Your home is a product to be sold, and taking constructive criticism positively will help attract the most buyers possible. When you receive feedback after a home showing, it’s important to consider what’s being shared and how you can adapt your home to encourage a solid offer from buyers.
WHAT IS BUYER FEEDBACK?
As an example, after every showing of a home, our team will reach out to the agent that showed the property and request feedback from their buyers. We try to attain as much information as we can like whether they liked the home, liked the price, and what their overall impression of the property was.
Not all real estate agents reply with their clients’ comments, but the majority of them do. These comments are invaluable and can be passed on to the seller, whether the information is positive or negative.
Of course it’s wonderful to hear rave reviews from buyers about how lovely your home is but it can also be hard to hear any negative comments they may have. When obtaining buyer feedback, it’s important that you step back from the emotional side of things, and look at your home as a product you’re trying to sell.
DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY
Remember that any negative comments are not meant to personally offend you. They are just one buyer’s opinion of how your home measures up to the property they’ve been imagining for themselves.
However, if you hear the same comments over and over again from multiple buyers, it is a good indication that there’s something that can be fixed. With multiple points of view you can safely assume that it’s not just a problem with one buyer who may have unusually high expectations.
Consider these tips on “Selling Your Home When You Have Children And Pets”.
COMMONLY HEARD NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
Our team of REALTORS® hears all kinds of comments from potential buyers about the houses they view. Most of the time they’re quite complimentary and express very positive thoughts on the home. But even the most gorgeous home will sometimes receive negative feedback and we encourage our sellers to adapt to and/or address any of the issues that came up.
Here are some of the most common critiques we hear and how you, the seller, can handle them.
“THE ROOMS FEEL SMALL”
- Ensure hallways, stairways and high-traffic areas are clear and free of obstructions.
- Consider removing some of the larger furniture and putting into storage.
- Box up unnecessary knick-knacks, clutter and excess items from each room.
“THE HOME DIDN’T SHOW WELL/NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP”
- You should be wiping down the counters and other surfaces daily.
- Whenever possible, vacuum and mop the floors to keep them fresh.
- Ensure that garbages are regularly emptied, pet messes are cleaned up and no trash is lying around.
- Consider hiring a professional cleaner to keep on top of any cleanliness issues.
“THE PRICE IS TOO HIGH”
- Have your REALTOR® re-evaluate what other comparable homes in the neighbourhood are selling for.
- Consider a price reduction to attract more buyers.
- Adjust your expectations on what your home can realistically expect to receive in this market.
“THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS I WOULD NEED TO DO AFTER MOVING IN”
- A fresh coat of neutral-coloured paint in the kitchen and main living spaces can really make a big difference to buyers.
- Consider some new light fixtures for the home that will give it a brighter, cheerful feel.
- Get the carpets steam-cleaned or replaced as necessary to breathe some new life into the floors.
- Keep on top of maintenance issues like landscaping, replacing burnt out lightbulbs and other annoying issues that will add up in buyer’s minds.
“THERE’S AN UNUSUAL SMELL I CAN’T GET OVER”
- Litter boxes are often a big culprit. Scoop the litter box DAILY and replace with fresh litter frequently.
- Stop smoking in the house. This is a huge turnoff for buyers. It will take a long time for the smell to dissipate and may even require re-painting and steam cleaning carpets to remove the smell.
- Cooking smells may scare away some buyers. Be cognizant of this and perhaps avoid smellier foods while your home is listed.
- Overly powerful perfumes and air fresheners are also a turnoff for buyers. You may be trying to give the house a nice scent but overpowering your buyers’ nostrils.
“THE HOME FEELS VERY DATED”
Consider these larger projects that may attract more buyers (and get you the most bang for your buck):
- Kitchen: Trends tend to go in 15-year cycles. If it’s been a while since you last gave the kitchen an update, consider how you can improve your kitchen’s functionality and style.
- Bathrooms: Another space in the home that can be a deal breaker for buyers. Keep fixtures neutral coloured and perhaps update the toilet to a more efficient model.
- Flooring: More and more buyers want hardwood and laminate floors. Or, clean plush carpets at the minimum. Perhaps it’s time to update the oldest, most tired floors in the home.
THERE IS A BUYER FOR EVERY HOME.
Don’t get discouraged if you receive some “less-than-positive” feedback from buyers. There is a buyer for every home and you’ll find yours.
Ask your REALTOR® for advice on where you should start! They know How To Sell Your Home for the Most Money Possible.
By taking this Buyer Feedback to heart, you can attract a wider audience of people interested in submitting an offer on your home.
For more tips on how to get your home in top shape for selling, check out our blog “Foolproof Tips To Prepare Your Home For Selling”.
