When it comes to real estate, both buyers and sellers often get things completely backward. Sellers focus on the wrong home improvements, while buyers overlook crucial functionality details that make or break a home.
If you're thinking about buying or selling a home, it’s time to flip your approach and avoid costly mistakes. Let’s break down what sellers should prioritize and what buyers should actually focus on when house hunting.
The Backwards Approach to Prepping a Home for Sale
Most sellers think that deep-cleaning the basement or repainting a guest bedroom will add value to their home. Spoiler alert: It won’t.
🔑 According to The Wall Street Journal, buyers form 90% of their impression within the first few minutes of walking in the door.
That means sellers should focus on what actually matters:
✅ First Impressions Count – Make the entryway warm, inviting, and clutter-free.
✅ Kitchen & Living Room Sell Homes – Invest in lighting, decluttering, and fresh paint in high-traffic areas.
✅ Curb Appeal Is Key – Fresh landscaping, a clean exterior, and a welcoming front door go a long way.
Meanwhile, minor fixes in unused rooms won’t make a difference in your sale price. If a seller didn’t prep strategically, there’s a good chance they didn’t maintain the home wisely either.
Buyers: Are You Looking at the Wrong Things?
Most buyers approach house hunting all wrong—they fixate on aesthetics instead of functionality.
Think about this: You’ll spend 80% of your time in just 20% of your home—typically the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom.
Yet, when touring a home, buyers often:
❌ Open every closet—but don’t test the shower pressure.
❌ Glance at the kitchen—but don’t imagine their cooking workflow.
❌ Look at bedroom windows—but don’t check how the morning sun hits.
What Smart Buyers Should Actually Do
✅ Walk through your morning routine – Is the kitchen layout functional? Where will the coffee maker go?
✅ Test the water pressure – Weak showers = bad mornings.
✅ Open and close every cabinet and drawer – Some might be useless or poorly designed.
✅ Check outlets & light switches – Are there enough, and are they in the right spots?
✅ Sit in the living room – Where will the TV go?
✅ Test cell service & WiFi strength – Dead zones can be a dealbreaker.
🏡 One of my buyers once loved a home—until they realized their king-sized bed wouldn’t fit in the master bedroom without blocking the closet. Small details matter more than you think!
The Real Deal on Buyer’s Regret
📊 According to The Real Deal, nearly 70% of buyers experience some form of regret—often due to overlooking functionality issues in favor of aesthetics.
To avoid buyer’s remorse, use this House Hunting Checklist before making an offer:
✅ Does the home layout match your daily routines?
✅ How’s the natural light in key rooms?
✅ Are there enough outlets in practical locations?
✅ Is the kitchen functional, not just pretty?
✅ Check water pressure & drainage—test ALL sinks & showers.
✅ Walk through the house at different times of day to see light & noise levels.
✅ Open & close every door, window, and cabinet.
✅ Check cell service & WiFi signal strength in every room.
Final Thoughts: The Smart Way to Buy or Sell
Selling? Focus on first impressions and high-impact areas that actually sell a home.
Buying? Make sure the home works for your daily life before you get emotionally attached.
🏡 Thinking about buying or selling? Let’s do it the right way. 📩 Shoot me a text—I’d love to help!
I’m Peter Mancini with Pen Realty, and this is A Signature Experience. See you in the next one!
🎥 Watch my latest video on this topic here: Home Prep
🔗 Special thanks to @Untuckit for the amazing outfit!
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