Tuesday, March 8, 2016

5 Things to Avoid That Will Turn Off Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax VA Homebuyers

With the majority of buyers today starting their home search online, it is important to wow them during this initial look. If NoVA buyers see something they don't like just from flipping through listing photos, they are less likely to ever make it to the front door for a showing or visit an open house.

 So how do you pique the interest of buyers in Northern Virginia without turning them off? Below are five things you will want to avoid as a home seller in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean and the surrounding areas:

 Do not convert your garage
Keep in mind that a large number of buyers who will begin house hunting this spring are first-timers who are tired of renting, with others simply in the market for more space (which includes a place to park their car). Avoid converting your garage to anything other than what it was intended for— that means no living room, gym or media space.

 Do not convert your spare bedrooms
If you have multiple bedrooms in your NoVA home, you can get by with keeping one as an office space while it is on the market as this can easily be changed back. But if you have built-in media equipment, wine storage, craft or workbenches in additional bedrooms, it could be a major turn-off for buyers who are looking for more space for their family.

 Do not lay carpet over hardwood
Buyers today love wood floors, so don't cover them up if you have them! Older homes are more likely to have a layer of carpet over wood flooring and you might consider removing it before buyers arrive.

 Do not leave out your dog accessories
Of course you love your pets, but a potential buyer may not. Pick up any toys or beds that are scattered around the house and consolidate them to one area.

 Do not install bold fixtures
A helpful rule of thumb for Northern Virginia home sellers this year is to create a neutral space that appeals to the majority of buyers. That means swapping out your over the top light fixtures with those more on the simple side. 

 Selling your home may seem like uncharted territory, but I have decades of experience in assisting homeowners! Give me a call today with any questions you have about listing your home or how you can prepare your property for the busy spring real estate market. 
I happily serve the areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Lake Ridge, McLean, Mount Vernon, Reston, Rosslyn, Springfield, Tyson’s Corner and Vienna. 
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