The real estate world is full of horror stories of bad home showings. Sometimes day-to-day habits that seem normal and ordinary to us are uncomfortable and offensive to others. So in an effort to not have buyers flee your home – and to have a little fun – let’s take a look at some of the quickest ways to have a potential buyer run, not walk, from a home showing.
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1. CRITTERS
Not everyone loves animals. Whether it’s welcome residents like your dog, cat, or bird, or pests like roaches and ants, any living creature in your home can be a distraction.
Family pets should be out of sight. Some buyers have allergies, while others fear dogs, snakes, or exotic pets. Don’t let Snoopy scuttle a potential sale.
Moreover, unwanted fauna should be checked for and cleared by an exterminator. You don’t want to discover a novel mouse problem when your agent is showing off your home.
One seller placed feeders in the backyard for birds and squirrels. The squirrels became so friendly that they expected hand-fed treats. When buyers toured the home, a squirrel suddenly leaped from a tree onto the sliding door screen at the sight of people (the two legged creatures that typically fed it), startling everyone. This A) scared the prospective buyers and B) made them rethink whether they wanted to inherit the heavy responsibility of caring for a squirrel community.
To prepare your home, clean carpets, refresh paint, and vacuum furniture. You may not notice pet odors, but buyers will.
2. Poo Problems
Whether it is a full kitty litter box, dog accidents in the house, a yard that hasn’t been cleaned up in a while, or even an unflushed toilet (ewwww), poo is not cool. In one instance, an agent and his clients showed up at a home where a small dog resided. The agent and buyers knew this beforehand and were not surprised to find the dog. But they were surprised to discover that the dog was allowed to do its business in the house. When the homeowner was contacted, they adamantly declared
the poop was “very small” and shouldn’t bother anyone. The buyers didn’t agree.
Just so you know: poop is poop. Realtor tip: keeping the toilet lids closed for a showing is always a good idea.
What to do: Unfortunately, you can’t just deodorize the room and call it good. If the carpet is soiled, then the subfloor needs to be sealed with Killz or a similar product and then the carpet needs to be replaced. Cat spray and urine is particularly challenging. One of my buyers ended up cutting out and replacing drywall (on top of subfloor sealing) to get the odor out of the home.
Related Reading: Seller Frequently Asked Questions
3. OTHER ODORS
That’s a perfect segue into another area that turns buyers off VERY quickly: odors. Again, you are used to the aroma of your house. Getting an outside opinion may not be fun but it is good for selling. Also, take out the trash daily and avoid cooking foods with very strong odors such as garlic, onions, fish, etc. (Burned popcorn is the worst!)
Also, have your home cleaned if you smoke cigarettes (or marijuana). Try a ozone machine to remove these odors, and if all fails use ozone paint (YES!!)
If you decide to have potpourri or a candle to improve the ambiance of the home, be aware that some scents can be off-putting or create an allergic reaction. The best scent to use is something mild like vanilla. Stay away from essential oils (these can cause adverse reactions like headaches in people not used to oils) and floral scents as those can be strong and irritating.
4. TEMPERATURE
Some like it HOT, some like it COLD, but keep your home at a nice, cozy temperature for showings. A range between 68-74° is just about right. The other day I showed a home to some potential buyers. We walked in and the thermostat was set at 54°! It was downright freezing. At that temperature, none of us wanted to stay inside and the buyers literally RAN out of the home and never looked back.
The same idea goes for a thermostat that’s too hot. If your home is toasty it can feel stuffy and suffocating. Plus, a hot home usually intensifies any bad odors. Make sure your home is comfortable for the average person by turning up the heat, opening some windows, or turning on the AC if necessary. You can go back to your preferred temperature after the showing.
5. DIY PROJECTS
DIY projects can be a red flag if they appear unfinished or poorly executed. Buyers worry about the worst kind of surprises from DIYers who didn’t fully pay attention in shop class.
Before listing, ensure that all projects meet professional standards. If something looks amateurish, it may be worth hiring a pro to fix it.
6. NEGLECTED MAINTENANCE AND SHODDY BUILD QUALITY
A home that appears neglected suggests future problems. Loose boards, peeling paint, cracked ceilings, and broken fixtures can make buyers hesitate.
During a showing, a buyer stepped onto a deck and fell through it! The sellers were lucky to avoid legal trouble.
It is worth taking the extra time and money to bring in a handyman to fix caulking, torn window screens, loose boards, paint touch ups, chipped cement, cracks in walls or ceilings, etc.
Note: If carpets are in bad shape, replace them with neutral, high-quality options. Buyers do not view a new coat of paint the same way they do a new carpet installation. Even with a flooring allowance built into a deal, buyers rarely want to deal with flooring updates post-purchase.
7. ANNOYING NEIGHBORS
Unfortunately, we can’t do much about other people. But nosy, annoying neighbors will send buyers running as fast as the Roadrunner being chased by Wylie Coyote! So, if you do have one of those neighbors, you may want to get creative in thinking of ways to keep them from approaching potential buyers with questions or their dish on the latest community gossip – or worse.
8. PERSONAL ITEMS/PHOTOS
Buyers need to envision themselves in the home. Remove excessive personal items, including family photos, toiletries, and laundry. Avoid leaving out anything too intimate—no one wants to see your Valentine’s boudoir photos!
9. CLUTTERED OR DIRTY HOME
A cluttered or dirty home signals neglect. Buyers may turn around and leave without fully viewing the property.
Quick fixes:
- Store laundry and clutter in a basket and place it in your car during showings.
- Wipe down sinks, counters, and bathtubs daily.
- Remove hair from surfaces—it’s an instant turnoff.
Cleanliness matters. A spotless home invites buyers to imagine living there.
10. SELLERS WHO STICK AROUND
There’s nothing worse than having current owners present while looking at a home. Trust me, a seller is wrong if they think that someone will buy their house because they’ll see how great & friendly they are. The buyers won’t even notice the home because all they will think about is the fact that the homeowners are there. It will be a quick in-and-out showing and the sellers will have lost the opportunity to really show a home.
Remember that sellers have ONE chance to make a good impression!
First impressions matter. Sellers get one shot at making a home appealing to buyers. Avoid these dealbreakers to increase your chances of a successful sale.
What else would you add to this list? What turns you off when house-hunting? Contact us, to let us know!
Also, you may want to check out this article: Preparing To Sell Your Home For The Highest Price.
