As a homeowner & downsizer in the Kansas City area, you want to make sure that your home looks its best when it’s time to sell. While there are many design trends that can make your house look more attractive to buyers, there are also some that can turn them away. In this blog post, we’ll explore eight design trends that could potentially hurt downsizers’ chances when selling their homes and how the Seniors Real Estate Specialist and team at BD Real Estate Solutions can help you achieve the best possible results when selling your house. Our goal is always to help make your selling process as simple and streamlined as possible. We also make our professional recommendations for your specific situation taking into consideration your goals and future needs. Taking on a major renovation just prior to selling your home usually isn’t a great idea – there are always exceptions but in general we aim to give you a heads up of what buyers notice – also keeping in mind your home may be able to be sold as-is when priced accurately for the current condition.
1. Bold Paint Colors
While bold paint colors can be fun and exciting, they can also be a turnoff for potential buyers especially if the paint job has imperfections and isn’t crisp and clean. When selling a house, it’s best to stick with neutral colors like beiges, creams, ecrus, variations of tans and white. These colors are timeless and appeal to a wider range of buyers. They are also what buyers see in new & newer construction builds & remodels throughout the area. You can always accent the space with a pop of color here and there. Love bright colors..?! Are there any exceptions?? …. Yes, there are always exceptions and the style/design of your home may be conducive and look absolutely beautiful drenched in vibrant colors and we may advise you to keep it just like that… curious if you should do some painting before selling your home? Just ask! – our consultations are complimentary.
2. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Wall-to-wall carpeting may have been popular in the past, but today’s buyers prefer solid surface floors in most cases. If you have carpeting in your home, consider removing it and refinishing the hardwood floors underneath if you have them, particularly in high-traffic areas, kitchens, and bathrooms. This will give your home a more modern and updated look, while also making it appear more open and less cramped. If you’re not up for a refinishing project – be sure your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® knows you have a hidden gem of hardwood floors so it can be included in your listing description. Most importantly – if you currently have carpet, that doesn’t mean you have to replace it (or that it would make sense to), but it should smell fresh and clean.
3. Busy Wallpaper
Busy wallpaper can be overwhelming and distracting to potential buyers, especially if the wallpaper is dated. Personal styles can vary greatly. If you have wallpaper in your home, consider removing it and painting the walls a neutral color instead. Ask your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® if it’s essential to remove your wallpaper if you have it. If your home is ready for updating throughout, it may be just fine to leave it as-is for the new homeowner to complete as they see fit.
4. Cluttered Spaces
Cluttered spaces can make a home feel smaller and less inviting. Before you put your home on the market, make sure to declutter and organize your belongings. It will be a crucial part of your downsizing process and a freeing one, at that. Decluttering will make your home feel more spacious and help potential buyers envision themselves living there. The first place most buyers will see your home today is online! Clutter doesn’t photograph well and makes spaces look smaller than they actually are. There are certain areas of the home that future buyers may expect to see boxes knowing the homeowner is planning a future move – such as the garage or a storage room.
5. Outdated Fixtures
Outdated fixtures like light fixtures, faucets, and hardware can make a home feel dated and unappealing especially if they have build up or tarnish that isn’t able to be cleaned nicely. Consider updating these fixtures to give your home a more modern look. Small changes like updating cabinet knobs can be very inexpensive updates to elevate and modernize a space.
6. Over-the-Top Renovations
While renovations can add value to your home, over-the-top renovations can actually turn potential buyers away. As the saying goes, “moderation or balance is key” – which can certainly apply to home renovations. A few years back when ship-lap and Pinterest DIY projects were all the rage, we would enter homes that had gone for an over abundance of renovation projects that appeared chaotic and asynchronous. While the idea was there – the orchestration was not and what came with good intentions appeared haphazard and over the top. When renovating your home, it’s best to stick with classic and timeless designs that appeal to a wider range of buyers and evoke a sense of calm (not chaos) in your living space.
7. Overly Personalized Spaces
While it’s important to make your home feel like your own, overly personalized spaces can turn potential buyers away. When selling your home, it’s best to keep your personal style to a minimum and create spaces that are more neutral and appealing to a wider range of buyers or where buyers can envision their favorite activities or hobbies in a space. Family photos are priceless! Be sure to pack them in a safe place as you prepare to downsize and sell your home.
8. Lack of Curb Appeal
First impressions are everything when it comes to selling a house. If your home lacks curb appeal, potential buyers choose to not even tour inside. (Yes, this actually happens!) Make sure to freshen up your landscaping, remove any dead shrubbery or plants and give your front door a fresh coat of paint, if needed to make your home more inviting. Also be sure your front door and porch are clean free of debris, dirt or leaves.
Our Seniors Real Estate Specialist® and award-winning team at BD Real Estate Solutions are experts in helping downsizing homeowners sell their homes quickly and for the best possible price. We understand what today’s buyers are looking for and can help you make the necessary updates our touch-ups to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.
Our team can also help you stage your home to make it look its best for showings and open houses. We’ll work with you to declutter your home, rearrange furniture, and add some decorative touches to make your home look its best.
When it comes to selling your home in Kansas City, trust the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® and professionals at BD Real Estate Solutions to help you achieve the best possible results. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you sell your home with ease. 913-232-3383
