Homebuyers have a keen eye for details. You would be surprised at the things they mention to our agents as they walk through your home. From the color of the walls to the choice of the flooring materials, the following are some of the six most common things prospective buyers will notice as they inspect your home:

1. Illumination. Homebuyers want sunny spaces to enjoy. They shun dark and dreary rooms and prefer bright and cheery bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and more. For this reason, we strongly recommend hanging and pulling back light curtains and installing bright light bulbs before taking any photos or scheduling a walkthrough.
   
   
2. Space. Prospective buyers want to know if your home has enough space to store their belongings, raise their children, engage in hobbies, and entertain guests. If your home feels stuffed and cramped, most buyers will take a pass and drive on down the road. This is why we strongly recommend holding garage sales, donating to Goodwill, and hauling any excess furniture, clothing, and clutter away via mobile storage solutions before a client ever walks through the home.
   
   
3. Odors. Whether it's pets, mildew, chemical, or other, prospective buyers have a keen sense of smell and will notice even the smallest hint of a foul odor. Bad smells will raise concerns about the odors you will leave behind when you move out. To counter this, we recommend giving the home a thorough cleaning, including cleaning the air ducts and carpets before putting the home on the market.
   
   
4. Damage. Broken concrete, chipped masonry, holes in drywall, stains on the floors, and other signs of damage will stick out like a sore thumb. When selling your home, pay to have any damage repaired by a qualified professional. Hiring a professional contractor is vital because, in addition to noticing signs of damage, experienced home buyers can easily spot poor quality workmanship. Moreover, if you have a receipt and a warranty for the work, you can ease the mind of prospective buyers who will see you invested carefully in the home's upkeep and that a warranty backs the workmanship. This is especially important when it regards HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical work.
   
   
5. Landscaping. If the lawn looks tired and dead, prospective buyers will have immediate concerns about the amount of work required to restore it. Moreover, they will fret over the quality of care you gave to the home they can't see. Always invest in fertilizer, shrubbery, flowers, grass seed, and professional landscaping services when putting your home on the market. It's the first thing prospective buyers will see, and you want to make a positive first impression.
   
   
6. Neighbors. Unfortunately, this is the one thing you have absolutely no control over. If you have wonderful neighbors who take care of their property that you know well and get along with, discuss them with prospective buyers if they ask. If you have neighbors you don't get along with or don't know well, then simply say, "I don't know." This takes a potentially negative issue and turns it into a neutral point.   

There are plenty of Bakersfield homes for sale right now that we would love to show you. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about homes in the area and the neighborhoods that are best suited for your family's lifestyle.