If you've ever had trouble selling a house, you may have familiarized yourself with some of the worst turn-offs for a potential home buyer. But if you're new to selling a home, or it's been a while, maybe you should go over some of the things that make buyers go "eww." Listing your home among Tuscaloosa homes for sale can be a lot easier if you avoid these gross-outs. Let's see what our real estate agents suggest for not scaring away buyers.

1. Get rid of anything obviously dated.
   Some older things retain a cool factor. Others, like avocado or harvest gold appliances, are so out of it that you'd have to create a 70s retro movie set to give them cultural reinvigoration. Shag carpet may still be lurking on the cultural outskirts — even though it's enjoyed some popularity in recent years — but it's probably not going to sell your house. You're better off avoiding anything that might ignite someone's "ick" buttons. Play it safe and go for subdued, modern styles that do not alarm. Retro styles are very much a personal choice, and so can be risky when trying to sell a home.
   
   
2. Avoid the outlandish.
   It's hard to define outlandish, but you know it when you see it. For instance, too much bold color: picture every room in a house being painted in bold oranges or bright greens, or even purples and bright blue. Get the picture? Paint in subdued — and limited — colors. You don't want to make too much of a statement. The same goes for big, bold, and outrageous window treatments, carpets, artwork, or furnishings.
   
   
3. Keep pets away during visits from potential buyers; beware of pet odors and other evidence of pets.
   Not everyone will love our pets as we do, so be sure yours disappear whenever a potential buyer comes to tour your house. That goes for all the evidence of pets as well: dog or cat hair, litter boxes, pet toys and paraphernalia, food and water dishes and whatever else. If you have carpet or walls that have been marked by your pets, look about professionally cleaning walls or replacing drywall and carpet. Avoid air fresheners; they are often unpleasant to visitors smelling them, and they seldom mask the odor that the homeowner is trying to hide.
   
   
4. Wash away cigarette odors.
   If you smoke — well, just stop. And then zero in on how you're going to get rid of the stench and the yellow film that the nicotine has left in your home. There are some excellent products made to clean your walls. Work in small sections, drying the section you've just washed as you go. You can also mix one gallon of hot water, three tablespoons of dish soap, and a half cup of baking soda.
   
   
5. You're asking too much for the home.
   One of the best ways to sell your home quickly is to price it right. That means you or your real estate agent will price your home according to similar properties nearby. Ask too much, and your home will sit on the market; ask too little, and you'll lose money on the sale. Working with an astute real estate agent will be a big help in figuring out how much to ask.
   
   
6. Resist overpersonalizing.
   Depersonalize the home's interior. Get rid of personal touches such as photos, souvenirs, knickknacks, or anything about you or the family. Your potential buyers want to picture themselves in your home — not you.

Need more advice on how not to scare off buyers? Our real estate staff can help. Contact us today.