The Most Common Deal Breakers for Homebuyers Revealed

A home in a high-risk flood zone usually costs more in terms of higher insurance premiums and with climate change, new areas are becoming flood zones. If your home is in a flood zone, make it more sellable by installing good flood-prevention measures, such as a sump pump.

The buyer can ask you to cut your asking price by tens of thousands of dollars if your home’s roof isn’t in tip-top shape. Clean the gutters regularly and check the roof for cracked or missing tiles or shingles and signs of dry rot. Fix little problems before they become big, expensive problems.

Some upgrades can increase the value of your home by thousands but buyers can spot a mile off if you’ve done a poor upgrade simply in order to flip the property. Think carefully about how much value an upgrade will really add and then have it done by a reputable professional.

Bad odours, whether they come from last night’s meal or from somewhere outside, can put off potential buyers. However, obvious attempts to mask the smell can make buyers suspicious. Instead, find the source of the odour, clean and air your house thoroughly and use simple, subtle scents like citrus or vanilla.

Old plumbing can lead to flooding, mould and other problems. Fix leaky taps, make sure the toilet flushes properly and clean out all the drains. Shine bathroom and kitchen fixtures to make them look newer and if you need to have any plumbing replaced, keep the receipts to show the buyer.

Buyers will balk at the idea of a high-maintenance home. Pay attention to every detail to make your home look well maintained: shine the floors, fix cracks and holes, give the house a new coat of paint and tidy up the garden, at the very least.

Not everyone may be as enchanted by your pets as you are. Before you show your home to prospective buyers, vacuum it thoroughly to get rid of pet hair that may trigger allergies and use an air purifier to get rid of pet smells. Clean up your pets’ mess and if you can, get someone to take them out while you show your home.

Mould can cause health problems but is often a sign of bigger issues, such as water leaks. If you find any signs of mould in your home, have the problem treated or you may have to lower your asking price.

High levels of radon are common in Canadian homes and can cause serious health problems. Lowering the levels isn’t very expensive, so test your home’s radon levels, especially in the basement, and fix the problem. It’s a good idea to keep the paperwork too.

Buyers won’t want to pay top dollar for outdated décor, so be realistic about your selling price. You can increase the price by updating the décor but check market trends first and go for a classic, timeless look.

For many buyers, the kitchen can be the deciding factor. If your kitchen is small and dark, consider renovating it. Lighter colours will create a sense of space while good artificial lighting or a larger window to let in natural light can brighten up things. It may even be worth your while to knock out a wall or two.

Old appliances will need to be replaced sooner. Increase your home’s selling price by replacing those appliances with new, Energy Star appliances that will also lower the hydro bill.

Popcorn ceilings are ugly, hard to clean and look dated. Sometimes they may also contain hazardous materials like asbestos and prospective buyers hate them. Luckily they’re not too difficult to remove and you can even do it yourself.

Older homes often have old underground oil storage tanks buried in the backyard. When these become rusty, they can start leaking and fixing the damage can cost a small fortune. Have the oil tank inspected and removed sooner rather than later and keep proof of the job.

If your home was once the scene of a crime, don’t be evasive when you’re asked about it. Prospective buyers will know when you’re trying to hide something. Who knows, some may even be excited about buying an infamous home.

Canada’s National Sex Offender Registry isn’t open to the public. However, if prospective buyers ask you if there are any sex offenders in the neighbourhood and you say “no” even though you know that one of your neighbours is a convicted sex offender, you may be sued for misrepresentation.

If your home’s appraised value comes in much lower than your selling price, the buyer may back out. One option is to lower your selling price but you can also work with the appraiser to try and increase your home’s appraised value.

Savvy buyers will look for signs of pests like cockroaches, termites, ants and rodents. Reduce the risk of pests by keeping your home and yard spotless and if you need to, get an exterminator in before you start showing your home.

Old, faulty wiring is a fire hazard and will put off prospective buyers. Check every light switch and electrical outlet in your home and catch problems before the prospective buyer does. If you need to have all the wiring replaced, keep the receipt and use the new wiring as a selling point.

If buyers find out that your basement flooded a few years ago or that the roof caved in, they may be afraid that it will happen again. Whenever you need to have major repairs done, get it done by a professional and keep the paperwork.