A Women's Lifestyle Website At Home With Daneen - A Women's Lifestyle Website
When selling a property, you will likely encounter three different types of buyers. The first type will only be viewing your home to essentially “tick it off” their list; they know the house isn’t really suitable for them, but they want to check it out anyway. The second type is more committed: buyers will be studiously interested in the house and are imagining themselves living in the property, focusing primarily on the big picture rather than focusing on minute details. ​
However, there is a third type of buyer that anyone selling their home needs to be wary of: the eagle-eyed buyer. Eagle-eyed buyers are a type of buyer who sees everything while also trying to see the “big picture”.  They are highly specific and attentive, noticing every detail about the entire property, even areas of the home that the homeowner may otherwise have missed. If you’re planning to sell your home in future, then making sure all of the areas eagle-eyed buyers will notice are up to snuff is essential if you want to secure a sale. Here are six things that any eagle-eyed buyer will see, as well as a few tips on how you can make improvements to withstand a high degree of scrutiny.

What Eagle-Eyed Buyers Look For When Purchasing A Home

1.  Paint Or Wallpaper Edges

When painting a wall or applying wallpaper, there are numerous edges that have to be navigated; outlets are perhaps the most common example of this kind of issue. Done well, these edges should be seamless, stopping in a neat, clean-cut line - but achieving these neat edges isn't that easy, with torn paper or occasional paint drips, your edges can get pretty messy. While these mistakes are fairly small, they will be noticed by eagle-eyed buyers, so it’s definitely important to examine all of your wallpaper edges and seams. If you find any issues, you’ll need to remedy them.  If you've got paint drips, smudges or smears, sand down the drip or smudge until the surface is smooth. Then clean off the area with a damp cloth and repaint, using painter's tape to straighten the edge first.  Once the paint is somewhat dry, remove the tape carefully.  If you have wallpaper, you’ll need to be proactive and make sure that your seams are lined up accurately before you paste and apply.  Otherwise, you may need to rehang the entire panel; cutting an extra piece just to neaten the edge is likely to cause more problems than it solves.

2.  The Quality Of Your Windows

When it comes to energy efficiency, windows are a vulnerability, accounting for up to 40% of overall heat lost in your home - so you can expect eagle-eyed buyers will be inspecting every window on your property for any signs of flaws. To ensure you pass this test, you’ll need to inspect your windows before your first viewing, paying particular attention to the seals. If you notice any signs of condensation or fogginess that can't be wiped away, chances are there is a failure in the edge seal that secures the individual panes of glass.  Additionally, if you notice any drafts or cracks in the glass itself, it may be worth considering an upgrade to more modern, energy-efficient models.  It's been estimated that mid-range vinyl window replacements can return as much as 77.5% of their initial cost at resale, and wooden window replacements have a slightly higher return on investment, at 78.8%.

3.  Dirty Flooring Joins

Some types of flooring are laid in a single piece, with carpet being the most obvious example. However, the vast majority of homes with a modern finish use flooring that is arranged in individual tiles or laminate planks; a convenient choice that makes laying flooring relatively easy to DIY, but can be problematic when it comes to eagle-eyed buyers. When planks or tiles are pressed together neatly, they look fine; however, when infinitesimal gaps develop, dirt can become trapped between the joins. This accumulation of debris can impact the entire aesthetic of the floor, and it will be noticed by prospective buyers with a keen eye for detail. It’s therefore worth using compressed air and, if necessary, a blunt knife to remove all lingering debris and then give the floor a good cleaning before you show your home.

4.  Dusty Upper Cabinets

We all have areas in our home that are tough to access, especially in the kitchen, where the presence of hard-to-reach cabinets are difficult to clean. While tough-to-access upper cabinets are not a problem on a day-to-day basis, they are bound to catch the attention of eagle-eyed buyers. As a result, you’ll need to do your best to ensure that upper cabinets are free of dirt and dust, and their interiors are free of crumbs and debris. The easiest way to do this is to use a vacuum cleaner first, then go over the areas with a damp cleaning cloth.  If tops of upper cabinets are hard to reach, use a duster with a telescopic pole.

5.  Light Switches And Surrounding Areas

Light switches are often one of the dirtiest parts of a home due to their constant use, but unfortunately, it’s incredibly easy to forget to wipe them down every time you clean. Worse still, many homeowners find that the area around each switch gets dirty incredibly quickly; a problem caused by people reaching for the switch, missing, and grazing the surrounding wall instead. Naturally, eagle-eyed viewers will see any smudges on or around your light switches, so you’ll need to ensure these are properly cleaned between each viewing. If you find that cleaning the plates make scratches or dents more visible, then it’s definitely worth installing new wall plates before inviting buyers into your home.

6.  Loose Doors & Squeaky Hinges

Doors play a crucial role in the function of any property, so you can be sure that eagle-eyed viewers will be assessing every door they walk through in an effort to identify flaws. As a result, it’s essential to ensure that all of your doors work exactly as they should; the door should open and close silently and in one smooth movement. You’ll need to go through your home and open each door, listening for squeaks; if you hear anything, then you’ll need to fix the squeaking hinge. Furthermore, if your checks identify any resistance when the door is opened or closed, consider replacing the hinges before your first viewing.
If you've just started thinking about selling your home, check out this infographic regarding four items that home buyers are looking for in a home today:

In Conclusion

By checking for, and then remedying, all of the issues above, you can be confident that you’re ready to put your home on the market and please even the most eagle-eyed of prospective buyers.

Comment Box is loading comments...