Three things sellers do that drive buyers nuts

Sellers can do lots of things that drive homebuyers’ nuts, from playing mind games to taking things in the home when they move out that they shouldn’t have, said McKay Price, assistant professor of real estate finance at Lehigh University.

Bankrate.com recently highlighted a few ways that sellers are getting on the nerves of buyers. Among those top offenses:

Playing mind games. “What drives a buyer crazy? Falling in love with a house that’s not really for sale,” Bankrate.com noted. “Or one that has problems that a seller refuses to fix.”

Buyers are getting annoyed at homes that need repairs that sellers refuse to make. When a home inspection reveals a home needs a new water heater or roof, for example, sellers often make the repair or adjust the price. But some stubborn sellers insist on doing nothing.

Fixture feuds. Some sellers may take more from the home than they’re allowed, including the chandeliers and maybe even the toilets.

Becoming offended. Buyers look at comparables with their real estate agents and look at the asking price – which they agree is too high – and then submit a solid offer. But the offer then gets ignored and the seller appears offended.

According to Pat Vredevoogd Combs of Coldwell Banker it’s never smart for a seller to ignore an offer.

“Even though it’s your home, it’s a financial transaction,” she said. “I’d rather have a lowball offer and be able to negotiate than no offer at all. I tell my clients, look, this is a starting point.”