16 Common Eyesores That Can Make Your Home Harder To Sell

Let’s be real – if you saw a house with a dead, weedy lawn or a huge dead tree, would you even want to go inside? Poor landscaping is a major turnoff for buyers. While you might not notice these things in your daily life, they’re a huge turnoff for potential buyers.

Luckily, one easy fix is to make sure your yard looks lush and green. Schedule a lawn service right before listing photos and open houses. But mowing isn’t enough – re-mulching, adding colorful plants, and trimming the edges can make a big difference.

Before listing, touch up the exterior paint to generate more interest! You might not notice the weathered look, but buyers will just see a big chore. Peeling paint isn’t always neglect – sometimes it’s just your area’s weather.

There are ways to avoid this. Use exterior paint that can stand up to the elements. Paint from the top down to prevent drips. And choose a neutral color that fits in with the neighborhood – this will please any HOAs and prevent turning off buyers.

Bad listing photos are a huge turnoff. No one will bother coming to see your home if they don’t like the online photos. Blurry, poorly lit photos that are shot at weird angles are the biggest culprits.

Real estate agents usually handle the photos, but if you’re selling without one or don’t want to pay, you can DIY. A good smartphone camera can work, and accessories like a lighting kit can make a big difference.

To sell your house, your bathroom needs to be in great shape. “Bathrooms are intimate spaces, and their state tells a deeper story about the overall care and love poured into a home,” a real estate broker said. “For the average buyer, issues there could be major deal breakers.“

The good news is that stains aren’t a lost cause. Products like Iron Out can remove rust, dye, and oxidation, while a mix of Borax, dish soap, and an abrasive can tackle most other stains.

DIY projects can be fun, but your skill level matters when selling. “It looked like a patchwork quilt, and not in a good way,” a broker said of a DIY bathroom reno. “Each wall seemed to champion a different decade.“

Mismatched floors, walls, or tiles will just scream “remodel needed” to buyers. Plan DIY projects carefully to ensure they fit with your home’s aesthetics.

You might be used to wiping mildew off your shower, but buyers will be grossed out. Any visible mold or mildew is a turnoff that will make it harder to sell.

To prevent it, ensure your bathrooms and laundry room are well-ventilated. Run the fan when showering or doing laundry, and give the spaces a good wipe-down with bleach cleaner before listing photos or open houses.

You might love your bright orange living room, but neutral hues tend to go over better with buyers. “Bold paint colors can sink your home’s value if not executed perfectly,” a real estate pro said. Neutral tones like white, cream, or beige are best to appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Bad carpet can be a major turnoff for buyers, especially younger ones. “Today’s buyers are looking for move-in ready homes, and old carpet just screams ‘remodel required,'” a flooring expert said. Luxury vinyl plank flooring is a popular, easy-to-maintain option that can be a big selling point.

Piles of laundry, cluttered hallways – these signs of a lived-in home can turn off buyers. “It’s true that leaving your house a mess can keep a buyer from seeing its beauty,” Joanna Gaines said. Make sure to do a deep clean before listing photos and open houses.

Fresh sheets, vacuumed floors, and fresh flowers can go a long way. If you don’t have time, hire a cleaning service to get your home sparkling.