(PRWEB) September 6, 2006 -- Leading Orange County real estate agent, Lee Ann Canaday, has compiled a list of the most common mistakes made by sellers. With over 25 years of experience in the Orange County real estate market, Lee Ann is in a good position to know. Here, in no particular order, are Lee Ann’s top ten deal-killers:

1. Poor Curb Appeal

First impressions are crucial and buyers in the market for Orange County real estate are a discerning lot. Don’t scare them off with peeling paint, unkempt lawns, dirty boats in the driveway, etc.

2. Bad Odors

Bad odors leave a poor impression. If you smoke, have pets, or regularly cook at home, you may have a problem you don’t even know about.

Don’t assume you can mask odors with aerosols or perfume; buyers of real estate in Orange County are privy to such obvious ploys! The trick is to eradicate the odors, not to mask them. That means having your carpets and upholstery cleaned, wash or repaint walls, etc.

Of course, not all odors are bad. If you’ve just baked bread or cookies, for example, your home will be filled with a pleasant, homey aroma almost anyone will enjoy. So go ahead and bake… just stay away from baked garlic!

3. Pets

In Orange County, we love our pets. But don’t assume that others like them too. Being greeted by a barking dog is potentially frightening, even if the dog’s just being friendly. Cats are a turn-off for some people too. So when selling Orange County real estate, keep your pets away during showings.

4. Clutter

In the garage, on kitchen counters, in closets, in living rooms… clutter anywhere is a huge turn off to buyers of Orange County real estate. Stow rarely-used kitchen appliances, clean out the garage, move excess furniture into storage. Do whatever it takes to open up your home for sale.

5. Cheap, Dirty or Squeaky Front Doors

Doors matter. Nothing makes a better first impression than a great front door – or a worse impression than a shoddy front door. If your door is sub-par, replace it. If budget doesn’t permit that, then give it a fresh paint job, oil its hinges, or install gleaming new knobs. Home buyers notice these things.

6. Dirty Bathrooms

Home buyers pay special attention to bathrooms, so you should too. Before showing your Orange County home, think about buying a new shower curtain or rug. Maybe a fresh coat of paint. Don’t forget to display your best towels!

7. Poor Lighting

Californians – including buyers of Orange County real estate – love their sunshine and daylight. So trim tree branches that block windows, open your drapes, repaint darkly colored rooms, replace dim light fixtures with brighter ones. Remember that bright and cheerful-looking homes sell faster.

8. Too Much Busy Wallpaper

There’s nothing wrong with wallpaper per se. But a house with heavily patterned wallpaper is almost certain to turn off Orange County home buyers. Wallpaper is simply too personal a choice: most home buyers – in Orange County and elsewhere – prefer to make their own decorating choices.

9. Bugs

This one’s pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often bugs make an appearance at a showing, even in the best Orange County homes. Get rid of bugs, whatever it takes!

10. Hanging around

It’s nothing personal... but when home owners are present at a showing, it makes buyers uncomfortable. Buyers of Orange County real estate want to poke around a bit. They want to look in closets to check for space, etc. When the home owner is present, they don’t feel right doing so. They also feel rushed, knowing their presence isn’t terribly convenient. So no matter how gregarious and courteous you are it’s always better to play it safe and stay away.

Note that most of these problems are inexpensive and easy to fix. Yet they make a big difference. Make just one of the sins outlined above, and you could send buyers running. So before selling your Orange County home, take an objective look at whether you’re making any of these common mistakes.

Contact Information:
Lee Ann Canaday
The Canaday Group
32392 S. Coast Hwy Suite 100
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Office: (949) 249-2424
www.canadaygroup.com


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