WHAT MAKES A HOUSE UNSELLABLE & HOW TO FIX IT?

Once you decide that it is time to sell your home, you’re going to want to sell your property at the best price possible to ensure a good return on your investment. But, if you have fallen behind on property maintenance or have taken a misstep or two with renovations or upgrades, there might be a few features in your home that can make it somewhat unsellable. If you are struggling to sell, consider these key aspects on what can make a home unsellable and how to fix them...

Are you neglecting maintenance and repairs?

It can be easy to fall into the trap of forgetting to tend to minor (or major) upkeep for your property. However, if your home starts to appear neglected and in a state of disrepair, then you’re hurting your chances of selling your property at the best possible price. Even a small issue can work against you when it comes time to list your home to potential buyers. Once they do a walk-through, these small issues can give the impression that the house is not in good condition and other things may also be wrong. While you may still get lowball offers, you might struggle to sell if you are unwilling to drop on the asking price.

The fix: the best way to avoid falling behind on maintenance is to tackle the issues as soon as they arise and to form a regular maintenance plan to ensure that the home is always kept in prime market condition. If this is one of many homes you own in a property investment portfolio, then the key to stay on top of it all is to form good relationships with contractors and reputable property professionals who can assist you with managing your real estate investments in a cost-efficient way.

Have you done any questionable DIY?

Doing it yourself can save you money, but it can end up costing you on the resale value of the home if you fail to do a good job. If you do tackle a DIY project, make sure that the project or addition is neat, structurally sound, and well-built. A poorly built structure could otherwise decrease the resale value of the home and can make the property less appealing to future buyers. You also need to make sure that you acquire the necessary planning approval for any permanent additions, as you will not be able to sell the property without these in place.

The fix: it’s okay to fail. If a DIY project doesn’t go as you planned, don’t feel ashamed to call in professional help.

Have you professionally staged & photographed your property?

An untidy garden or backyard, dirty walls, and laundry laying around can be detrimental to the sale of a property, especially if these are visible in the listing photos. Buyers are initially drawn to a property based on how it looks in the listing photographs, so you need to ensure that the home is at its most appealing when the listing photos are taken. Staging your property is another key aspect to making sure your home sells. It can be tricky to sell a home if the furniture makes the rooms feel small and nonfunctional – the right staging can help buyers imagine themselves in the space and make the home more appealing.

The fix: it might be worth hiring a professional staging company. To manage the costs, the best value for money rooms to stage would be the living room, main bedroom, and, of course, the kitchens and bathrooms. Sellers should also hire a professional real estate photographer to put together beautiful listing images of the home.

Do you have the right listing agent?

It’s important to understand that not all agents are the same. Some agents from other brands might not be working hard enough to ensure that the property sells. This is why you want to work with an agent from a reputable brand with the largest possible network of buyers and sellers, like RE/MAX. This will give you the best chance of selling your home for the best return on investment.

The fix: at RE/MAX, we enjoy extensive national (and international) coverage and are able to correctly market your property sale anywhere in South Africa. We can also easily advise on whether your valuation and asking price have been determined correctly. Speak to your local RE/MAX office for more advice.