Viewings Feedback: Using Negative Buyer Comments to Boost Your Home’s Saleability

You’ve been on the market for a while, followed your agent’s advice on price, and had plenty of viewings, but nothing ever comes of them. Where do you go from here?

It can be a frustrating experience when all you want to do is get your move underway, and here's where the feedback from viewings really comes into its own.

There’s always a story when a home doesn’t sell, and whether your agent updates you after every viewing or in a weekly recap, the comments from buyers are often the clue to what’s in the way.

Some of the most common reasons why viewings don't turn into offers are:

• The location isn’t right.
  
• There’s too much clutter.
  
• The rooms are too small.
  
• It feels dark inside.
  
• There’s too much work to do.
  

You’re not alone if any of these apply to you, and every objection can be overcome, so let’s see how you can turn negative buyer comments on their head to boost your home’s saleability and restart your move.

THE LOCATION ISN’T RIGHT

Location means different things to different buyers, and the one thing you can't do with your home is change where it is.

However, all is not lost if your location is the source of negative feedback. You still have a number of options, including:

• Is your agent targeting the right people? Think about why you originally bought your home and whether those reasons are still relevant and form part of your description and viewings.
  
• Are you on a busy road? If you’ve already got double-glazing, can you add screening plants or extra style to the front garden to improve your kerb appeal and the sense of arrival?
  
• Do the concerns of buyers match the reality of living in your home? If not, ask your agent to add your experiences and enjoyment of daily life to their marketing to paint a positive picture.
  

If you still can’t overcome location objections, it could be that people expect more for their money at the price you’re asking. If so, finding a new audience in a lower price band may be the right next step.

THERE’S TOO MUCH CLUTTER

Mess makes homes more challenging to sell. It can’t be edited out of photos, which stifles the number of enquiries, and it undermines viewings because buyers can’t see what they’re getting.

So it's really worth tackling it head-on, beginning with a few simple principles:

• Create space on surfaces and shelves to let them breathe by turning a jumble of knick-knacks into a conscious display of your favourite things.
  
• Piles of stuff make rooms look smaller: get clothes into wardrobes and drawers, books onto shelves, papers into a desk or file, and everything off the floor that doesn’t belong there.
  
• Sell, donate, or remove any items you’re not planning to keep, then box up anything you can’t find a place for. Hide it in the loft, at a friend’s, or in a rented store room until you move.

Feeling overwhelmed? Getting started is often the hardest part, so take a look at our previous blog on Four Ways to Declutter to find the perfect method for you.

THE ROOMS ARE TOO SMALL

Your floor plan gives potential buyers an idea of your home’s layout and size before they visit, but if your presentation isn't right for viewings and photos, your rooms can look smaller than they actually are.

So look around your home and ask the following questions:

• Can buyers walk around easily? Clear sightlines to windows and fireplaces, and create space for viewers to walk around easily without bumping into things or needing to squeeze past.
  
• Are your walls overdressed? Fewer pictures or a lighter paint colour can make them feel more expansive, while a large mirror can add extra depth.
  
• Is there too much furniture? Visible floor area sells, so consider relocating an excess piece to another room or giving it to a friend to babysit until you’ve sold.

It's remarkable how a few small changes can transform the feeling of space in your home. As soon as your work is done, ask your agent to take new photos for a refreshed campaign.

YOUR HOME FEELS DARK INSIDE

Natural light makes a home feel fresh and positive, and any room can have its character brightened up. So if buyers are saying your home feels dark, check if any of the following could lighten the mood.

• Are your windows gleaming? Even a dusting of dirt can deplete the daylight, so keep your panes sparkling clean. Then, draw back curtains and keep blinds open to expose all the glass.
  
• Do you have lots of dark fabrics? Consider accessorising them, from a bright throw or cushions on a deep-toned sofa to a plain and light-coloured rug over a dark or patterned floor.
  
• Amplify the natural brightness with mirrors to reflect the view of the sky outside, and shiny accessories from vintage ceramics to mid-century plastics to bounce the light around.

None of these are costly, but they can make a huge difference in getting a sale and the price you achieve. For even more tips, take a look at our Is Your Home Fit For a Sale.

BUYERS SAY THERE’S TOO MUCH WORK TO DO

Many buyers love the idea of buying a fixer-upper and bagging a bargain. But if you’re not marketing your home as a cut-price project, there could be some things you need to attend to.

• Decorate over dried-out stains from historic leaks. You might have forgotten them long ago, but buyers will notice immediately and wonder if other issues are lurking elsewhere.
  
• Overgrown gardens can be overwhelming, but bare ones can feel full of potential, so trim unruly hedges and brambles, cut the grass, and remove any junk to create a clear and blank canvas.
  
• Repair slipped roof tiles, dodgy gutters, cracked render, and broken pointing. They’re all off-putting but relatively easy to fix, and they’ll elevate your kerb appeal to no end.

Usually, buyers see decoration and modernisation as an opportunity to inject their style and add value, while repairs are viewed as an expense and possible minefield. So make those your priority.

How’s the viewing feedback on your home?

Hopefully, your agent’s regular reports of comments are giving you plenty to go on, but if you’re still in the dark or you’d like another opinion, we’d love to help.

Call us on 01268 944104 or message us at hello@vesta-essex.co.uk for a chat about your move. Perhaps it’s time to give yourself a second chance with a new agent and a fresh start.