When you’re selling a property, it’s rare that the home checks off every single box on a potential buyer’s “ideal home” list. Some of these items can be addressed with minor modifications or upgrades. However, some home features can be a little more difficult to work around.
For instance, some homeowners may create “themed” rooms with permanent fixtures to recreate a video game setting or pay homage to their favorite sports teams. While it might feel homey to the owner, these personalized home alterations could be a turn off to would-be buyers. To help you navigate this type of situation, a panel of Forbes Real Estate Council members offer their tips for handling unusual features in the home you’re selling. Here’s what they advise:
Members share some approaches for selling a home that has rooms with permanent fixtures.
Photos courtesy of the individual members
1. Showcase Other Options For The Space
It’s not likely that the next homeowner will be as big of a fan of your sports team, so staging the home to showcase different ways to utilize the unique space can help buyers see their options. – Beatrice de Jong, Open Listings (YC W15)
2. Embrace The Uniqueness
While it may not appeal to everyone’s taste, you may get more interest on your listing if you show off the unique feature or themed room of your home. This may be a chance to gain local press for your listing. More eyes could mean more potential buyers. This will make your home stand out and you may find a buyer that finds the room to be a deal maker. – Joshua Lybolt, Lifstyl Real Estate
3. Tell The Seller To Consider The Buyer’s Perspective
When preparing your home to sell, remember the No. 1 rule to a quick sale at top dollar — it’s not about you, it’s about the buyer. Will this seller-specific room appeal to the target buyer for your home? If you are positive that it will, leave it. If not, return the room to its original use or prepare for the potential buyer to charge you the time and money to do it themselves. – Caroline Carter, Done In A Day
4. Neutralize The Space As Best You Can
Depending on the changes, it is usually best to remove these items back to a more neutral condition for the most buyer appeal. Like products for sale in retail stores, the broader the appeal your home has, the most likely you are to find a buyer at the highest possible price and quickly. If buyers see work they have to do after the sale, they start deducting from their offer price. – Michelle Ames, HorsePower Team Texas/Independent Realty
5. Tell The Broader Story For The Property
It’s important to tell the broader story and create a vision for the property in its current state. Often time, we’ll create additional visuals for rooms, such as modified floor-plans, conceptual renderings, and conceptual site-plans of an entirely reconfigured property. This creates a memorable experience for every buyer, enabling them to look past features that may not suit their needs or taste. – Cody Vichinsky, Bespoke Real Estate
6. Disclose The Features Upfront
As long as modifications are well-built and designed, they can absolutely be positioned as selling points. Online platforms have also made it easier than ever to find the perfect buyers for unique homes. For sellers, it’s important to disclose theme rooms and permanent fixtures upfront and provide as many photos and videos as possible to avoid confusion or scrutiny from the buyer in the future. – Gary Beasley, Roofstock
7. Identify The Right Buyers Who Will Appreciate The Space
As homebuyers and renters consider where to invest their time and money, unique and “unusual features” can be a helpful differentiator. Promote the features to find like-minded individuals who could share a passion for these dedicated spaces as they are. Whether your property is urban or suburban, identifying targeted audiences can both attract and retain an interest in your property. – Benjamin Pleat, Cobu (formerly known as Doorbell Communities)