- From about.com

1. Odors

House odors are number one on the uh-oh list. And narrowing it down, odors from cigarette smoke and pets take top billing, with mildew not far behind.

If you smoke in the house--it smells. Sorry, but it's true. If you have pets, it might smell--even if you don't notice it. Ask someone who doesn't live there (and don't get angry when they tell you the truth).

There's only one solution. Eradicate the odors so that you can present buyers with a clean, fresh atmosphere--not a house that's full of perfumes to cover up the smell.

2.Dogs that Meet You at the Door or in the Driveway

Dogs frighten some buyers and irritate others. You'll have a much better response from showings if you have a plan to control your pets--dogs, cats, whatever.

You say you plan to put them in a bedroom or garage and then ask buyers not to open the door to that area? Bad idea--buyers won't buy a house they can't look at.

Remove pets during showings if possible. If you can't do that, contain them in crates for their own safety and to show respect for the feelings of potential buyers.

3. Dirty Bathrooms

Grimy bathrooms are an instant turnoff. Scrub them, paint them, buy a new shower curtain, rugs and towels--do what it takes to make them shine.

4. Dimly Lit Rooms

Dark homes are a turnoff to most home buyers. Potential fixes:

1. Replace dim light fixtures
2. Install additional light fixtures
3. Install (quality) sun tunnels or skylights
4. Remove heavy drapes to let the light stream in
5. Repaint some rooms with colors that reflect light
6. Trim tree limbs that shadow the house

While your at it, clean the windows, inside and out. If you can, replace double pane windows that have broken seals (you'll see fog withing the windows that cannot be removed). Dirty and fogged windows are another buyer turnoff.

5. A House Full of Busy Wallpaper

Busy wallpaper in every room turns off most buyers, and even people who love wallpaper rarely like what you've chosen. It's a personal thing that they want to do themselves.

It's the masses you must appeal to if you want a quick sale and top price, so take a hard look at your wallpaper and decide if it should be removed and replaced with paint. Don't paint over it.

6. Damp Basements

Any dampness (or damp smells) in the basement throw up a red flag to buyers that the basement leaks! Even if it doesn't truly leak.

If you have leaks, fix them. No leaks? Look for drainage issues. Maybe water is pooling around the foundation, keeping it damp. Most problems we see are caused by rainwater that's being diverted towards the foundation instead of away from it.

• Underground drains might be blocked.
• Downspouts could be aimed the wrong way.

Go outside the next time it rains and take a look.

7. Bugs

Roaches, spiders, any type of insect that shouldn't be in the house. Get rid of them.

8. Poor Curb Appeal

You must grab their interest from the curb if you want top dollar. Buyers often refuse to go into a house with an unkempt yard, sagging doors or peeling paint. You say you can't afford to paint? Okay, but get that yard in tip-top shape and grab a screwdriver to fix those doors.

9. Gutters with Plants Growing in Them

I'm serious. Some people never clean their gutters, and it always makes buyers wonder what else hasn't been handled.

Remember the drainage issue in #6? Cleaning packed gutters might help.

10. Sellers Who Hang Around for Showings

Yes, you... leave the house during showings. Home buyers feel awkward about opening closet doors and lingering for a really good look at the house if the seller is there.

If you're selling by owner, give them some space, don't hover.

Parting Words

Most of the Top 10 problems are issues you can correct without spending a lot of money. Do it now, before you put the house on the market, because if your house develops a reputation among agents as the house that smells, the house with the huge barking dog or the house where the owner won't leave people alone it will be too late. Your house will be last on their list to show potential buyers.