There are several reasons why buyers will reject homes – either before or after inspecting them.
Here are some common reasons buyers reject homes for sale …
BEFORE INSPECTING.
- Being unable to inspect at a convenient time for the buyer. This happens constantly when homes are only “open-to-inspect” for 30 minutes each week.
- Being unable to contact the agent. Be sure your agent promotes an office phone number and not just the number for an individual agent. Don’t hire agents who are hard to contact. Mystery-shop agents before you choose one.
- Trying to “sell” in an advertisement. Too many sellers give away too much information in advertisements. This can make buyers reject a home because they make a false assumption about it. Don’t try and sell in an ad.
AFTER INSPECTING.
- Feeling deceived. Photo-shopped images of your home that make it look like a movie star’s mansion can work against you. Even professional photography can trick buyers. They are lured by the gloss and glamour. When they see the truth, they feel deceived and resentful.
- Lack of cleanliness. Don’t confuse messy with dirty. Most lived-in homes have an element of mess about them. That’s to be expected. It’s dirt – especially bad odours – that cause buyers to reject homes.
- Dislike of the owners or agents. It’s amazing how many agents create unnecessary friction between sellers and buyers. This is especially true during a negotiation. If the buyers resent the way they are treated, they will often walk away. Treat buyers with respect and you’ll increase your chances of selling.
