Doug Francis | Realtor

  • About Doug
  • Services
  • Sell Your Home
  • Case Studies
  • Get Started

Are Buyers Getting Too Picky?

November 1, 2013 By Doug Francis

Relocating Vienna VA  home buyers Doug Francis realtor

Relocating to Vienna

Trying to understand what home buyers will accept can be a challenge. Basically, if the market is a super-hot seller’s market then home buyers may accept a “negative” that would be a deal breaker in a buyer’s market. And local MRIS stats show that market types can change from zip code to zip code.

Real estate markets can change rapidly and if you are planning to sell your home then you need to prepare for the worst. Relocating buyers can give me some realistic (and sobering) insight into what is “hot” at any given moment. And, for example, buyers relocating from San Diego will tell me a lot as we are house hunting because it is often easier for them to articulate what they dislike rather than what they like when they tour a house.

What are common home buyer turn-offs?

I felt it would be helpful to put together a list of some common turn-offs. And, if you think I missed any obvious ones then leave a comment below for all to read!

10 Home Buyer Turn-offs:

  1. A Dirty Home The sad truth is that the buyers may be total slobs at home, but when they see your house it needs to feel like the maid-brigade has just left the driveway.
  2. Boxes of Stuff When home buyers see boxes of stuff they immediately think that your home is too small.
  3. Smells When clients walk into a home and an unpleasant smell hits them… they are thinking, “NEXT!”
  4. Wall Paper There hasn’t been one client in 22 years that didn’t comment, “that will have to be changed”.
  5. Seeing YOU If you are there then the buyers will be looking at you, not your house.
  6. Your pet When a seller’s ferret ran from one room to another, I could hear my client thinking, “NEXT!” Even a friendly dog is a big distraction.
  7. Kitchen Appliances A greasy Wolf range isn’t acceptable, and a Sub Zero fridge with last night’s Chinese food cartons is gross. Basically, it doesn’t matter if the appliances are high-end, gourmet, or from the 1970’s because if they are not “show-ready” then most buyers are turned off.
  8. Chain link fences Okay, maybe my clients are snooty but chain-link fences just lack any character. Rusty ones are considered 10x.
  9. Dirty Bathrooms Again with the dirt, but take your stuff off the counters, clean the toilet and shower, and put some clean fluffy white towels out.
  10. Gold tone or builder grade light fixtures or brass bathroom fixtures The only exception is if they are real antiques… but most look like they are from the bargain bin, and home buyers immediately give me the look.

Yes, I could have rambled on but things like old carpet or cigarette smoke but they were just too obvious. Many of my clients are relocating from far off lands like Texas, California, Connecticut, Ohio or North Carolina and are uprooting their kids and spouses. This is big time stuff here, and folks who have lived in a house for the last twenty five years and are now downsizing need to see the big picture when preparing to sell their home.

Anyone looking for a good checklist might want to read How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell in 30 Days because understanding the big picture is the best strategy.

Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: real estate, relocating, relocation

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

Helping my clients add value to their homes has always been important to me. My step-by-step recommendations are intended to increase market appeal, return more than invested, and help net more when selling.

Beyond just sellers, I have helped many new homeowners make smart design decisions when remodeling. We gutted our house and totally remodeled it, and I pass that experience along because living in a nice house is simply better.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg

Planning to sell your home?

Case Studies

Listing Case Studies Continue Reading

Thinking of Moving?

If you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market then let's set up a time to talk. Even if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Remove your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA

Real Estate Offers | What’s In and What’s Out

Changes in Latitudes Attitudes This story may sound slightly made up, but the 2022 real estate market across Northern Virginia was full of fast-paced drama which is still kind of hard to picture. The brakes weren’t just tapped… they were slammed! Or to create a picture for you, we went from a wild Category 5 […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Doug Francis Vienna Real Estate 2021
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2023 Doug Francis · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in