We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver our services. By continuing to visit this site, you agree to our use of cookies.More info
Leatherman HomesLeatherman Homes
    Ask Us Anything
    Follow us

    Who We Are

    • Meet Our Team
    • Read Our Blog
    • See Our Reviews

    Who We Serve

    • Explore Our Services
    • Buy With Us
    • Sell With Us
    • Search for Homes
    • See Our Marketing Strategy

    Leatherman Homes

    25 S Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

    • (516) 984-1815
    • [email protected]

    How Your Home’s “Deal Breaker” Can Attract the Perfect Buyer

    When you’re starting the process of selling your home, be prepared to see your home in a whole new light. A really, really...

    • Kevin Leatherman
    • April 28th, 2020
    • 4 min read
    Featured Image

    When you’re starting the process of selling your home, be prepared to see your home in a whole new light.

    A really, really bright light. That’s because buyers will notice all the great things about your home...and also all the not-so-great features that you’ve learned to live with over the years. Small issues, like a creaky stair and outdated fixtures, are easily identified and fixed. However, there are potential issues that can’t easily be so easily resolved. In fact, they might be a “deal-breaker” that can turn off a potential buyer immediately.

    Don’t panic just yet. A good real estate agent doesn’t just sell a house, they sell a house to the right buyer. In the case of “deal breakers,” what can seem like a negative to an average person might be something highly-sought by another. Or, with the right staging and a few strategic changes, the true opportunity can be made clear to even skeptical buyers. Here are a few of the most common scenarios where this can happen:

    The deal-breaker: Your home is located near a super-busy intersection.

    What was once a quiet street turned into a constant traffic jam once a few developments popped up over the years. Or, what was once empty fields turned into everyone’s favorite shopping destination. No matter what happened, it now takes at least five minutes to leave your driveway.

    The bright side: Traffic doesn’t matter when you work from home.

    For a growing number of workers, a commute involves going from their bedroom to their home office. This type of buyer might not care about the traffic and can instead time their errands around the busiest times of the day. Attract them by turning that spare guest room into an ideal home office and maybe adding a few smart home devices that make life more convenient for the work-from-home life.

    The deal-breaker: Your home is located next to an eyesore.

    Your neighbors have very different ideas of what “tasteful” decor means, or a new business popped up that takes away from the whole neighborhood vibe of your block. Or, your home is located next to a cemetery — which never bothered you, but the view might turn off prospective buyers.

    The bright side: That’s what landscaping is for.

    While you can’t stop your neighbor from getting the mail in his robe, you can obscure a less-than-ideal view by rethinking your exterior landscaping. Privacy fences, hedges, bushes, and even bamboo (depending on your area) help define your property line while hiding eyesores. It’s a small investment, but one that will pay off.

    The deal-breaker: Your home doesn’t get any natural light.

    It could be the floorplan, the angle of your lot or just bad luck with window placement, especially if you live in an older home. No matter what time of day, your home tends to have a cave-like feel that’s at odds with the light and airy look that most potential homeowners look for.

    The bright side: Paint, window treatments and lighting go far to boost brightness.

    You’d be surprised at what a difference re-painting your rooms can make in terms of natural light. Keep color choices simple and opt for a white shade that isn’t too stark, like Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (a favorite among decorators for small, dark rooms). Remove any heavy curtains in favor of sheer or linen panels — and while you’re at it, update any blinds you have. (Dusty, worn-out blinds can filter what little light into dim shadows.) Finally, subtly increase the lighting in any dark spaces. Instead of relying on just overhead or floor lights, add in table lamps at eye level, under-cabinet lights and task lighting. The type of lighting matters, too: Nix torchiere-style lights, which focus light upwards (creating dark shadows on either side). While you’re at it, replace any “soft white” bulbs, which cast yellowish tones, in favor of “bright white” bulbs.

    Did We Miss Your Deal-Breaker?

    While we tried to cover the most common “deal breakers” that sellers often encounter when they put their home up for sale… The ones that could affect your home sale might not have been mentioned.

    We know that every seller has different timelines and priorities.

    If you’re concerned about potential deal breakers, we’re here to listen to your concerns and help walk you through the process

    Let's Talk

    Author Photo
    About the author

    Kevin Leatherman

    (516) 984-1815
    • facebook
    • X
    • instagram
    • linkedin
    • youtube
    • pinterest
    I was raised in Commack, attended grades K-12 and graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Banking & Finance. While having a successful career selling & trading Foreign Exchange for top Wall Street firms, I pursued my true passion by attending a real estate broker licensing course at New York University. Upon receiving my real estate broker’s license I opened my real estate agency. Shortly afterward, business flourished, and I was able to resign from my full-time position on Wall Street.

    Similar posts like this

    How to Buy a Home in 2023

    Two major challenges in the real estate market for buyers right now are high mortgage rates and low inventory. Let’s take...

    Read more

    How to Find a Home in Your Preferred School District

    If you have kids who are school-aged or about to be, you’re probably thinking about your school district. If there’s a particular...

    Read more

    7 Must-Read Real Estate Tips for Expecting Parents

    Being an expecting parent can be a wonderful and exciting time, but it can also be stressful. There are so many details to...

    Read more
    Leatherman Homes

    Here to provide exceptional service.

    Leatherman Homes

    25 S Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

    Leatherman Homes

    25 S Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

    (516) 984-1815
    [email protected]
    • Our Services
    • Buy With Us
    • Sell With Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Our Reviews
    • Our Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Our Marketing
    • Search for Homes
    • Get My Home's Value
    • Mortgage Calculator
    • Sold Gallery
    • NYS Housing Discrimination Disclosure Notice
    • NYS Standard Operating Procedures
    Join Our Email List:

    *We respect your inbox. We only send interesting and relevant emails.

    Leatherman Homes © 2025

    Privacy Policy
    Powered by