Last Updated on February 12, 2025 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging
When staging your home for sale, it’s important to create an atmosphere that promotes peace, tranquility, and respite from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. You want buyers to linger and visualize the lifestyle they could lead if they lived in a home like yours. Yet even in the most beautifully styled house, buyers will run screaming if it’s too hot, smells like an ashtray, or has four or five cats traipsing about.
What Deters People From Buying a House? Red Flags That Can Make Your House Unsellable
Learn these three surefire home buyer turn-offs that will have folks heading for the hills:
1. Strong Smells
We all become “nose-blind” to some degree when it comes to the smells in our own homes. Cigarette smoke, pet odors, food, and mildew are the most common offenders I find in clients’ homes. Eliminate odors completely to avoid distracting buyers. You want a buyer thinking “How soon can I move in?” not “How soon can I get out of here and wash this smell out of my hair and clothes?!”
Curious about using air fresheners? Not always a good idea. Read our article on Scents That Sell.
Tip: Textiles can hold smells. If you have lingering odors, try laundering, cleaning, or removing possible culprits (carpets, rugs, curtains, pillows, pet beds).
2. Uncomfortable temperature.
Take the outside weather into account, and make sure the temperature inside your house is comfortable for buyers — around 72 degrees F. If you typically keep your home warmer or cooler than most people find comfortable — either for cost savings or your personal comfort — be sure to adjust the temperature before any showings. Buyers will walk out of a home that’s stiflingly warm or freezing cold, sight unseen.
3. Unruly pets
A “for sale” home should convey an atmosphere of relaxation from the moment a potential buyer steps in the door. Barking dogs, overly friendly cats, or squawking parrots do not promote relaxation and can be major buyer turn-offs. Nervous animals create nervous buyers. Whenever possible, completely remove animals from the home during showings. If it’s not possible, be sure animals are safely secured in an area that will be minimally distracting to potential buyers. While you’re at it, hide or eliminate as much evidence of pets as possible (e.g, litter boxes, food dishes, pet beds, cages) before showings.
It’s nearly impossible to be objective about smells, temperature, or your fur babies. Ask a professional home stager, your Realtor, or a friend you trust to be brutally honest with you, listen to what they have to say, and make adjustments. Don’t risk losing a sale because of something that’s simple to correct!
Need Help Getting Rid of More Home Buyer Turn-Offs?
Need some feedback on your home? Take a look below at how Three Bears Home Staging can help.
Vannessa Rhoades
Vannessa Rhoades is the author of Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging and the founder of the award-winning firm, Three Bears Home Staging®. She specializes in providing positive, empowering virtual consultations that help homeowners and real estate agents all across the country sell more quickly and for more money.
