The Austin real estate market is heating back up, but that doesn’t mean buyers are saying “yes” to every home that hits their feed. They’re sharper, more discerning, and far less forgiving of the things they don’t want. At Trigaci Stiles Group, we see this every day in open houses, showings, and negotiations — and we guide our clients on how to avoid these deal-breakers.
Here are the five biggest turn-offs buyers are walking away from right now, and the way we help our sellers move past them:
1. Homes Needing Big Renovations
Buyers love a home with character, but not one that feels like a full-time project. A “great price” quickly loses its appeal if it comes with a $50,000 bathroom remodel or a kitchen that needs to be gutted. The reality is that most buyers want to enjoy their new home immediately — not spend the next six months living in a construction zone. Even those who dream of personalizing a space usually want a solid starting point, not a blank slate that drains their time and budget.
That’s why we sit down with sellers to look at their home through a buyer’s lens and identify which updates are worth making before going to market. Sometimes it’s a full kitchen or flooring refresh; other times, it’s as simple as upgrading to newer smart home features. Our goal is to position the home so it attracts the broadest pool of buyers without requiring sellers to over-invest in improvements.
2. Deferred Maintenance
Neglected landscaping, worn roofs, old HVAC systems — these all scream “hidden costs” to buyers. Even if the home is otherwise move-in ready, deferred maintenance plants seeds of doubt. The moment buyers spot an obvious issue, they start to wonder what else is lurking under the surface. First impressions stick, and nothing says “skip this house” faster than overgrown grass, a stained driveway, or peeling paint.
Before a home even hits the MLS, we do a walk-through with a buyer’s mindset. We point out the items that are guaranteed to get noticed and help clients prioritize which fixes will make the biggest impact. Often, relatively small changes — sprucing up the yard, touching up exterior paint, servicing the HVAC — go a long way in creating the impression of a well-cared-for home. Sometimes, we even recommend getting the home pre-inspected so we don’t have any surprises during the buyer’s option period!
3. Overpricing for “Negotiation Room”
The days of pricing high just to “leave room to negotiate” are gone. Buyers compare homes daily, and if one is out of line with the market, they’ll scroll right past. Today’s buyers are armed with apps, data, and instant access to comps — they know the value of a home the minute they see it online. Instead of playing the game, they’ll wait for the next listing that feels fairly priced.
We tackle this head-on by running in-depth market analyses and explaining the psychology of today’s buyers. A home that’s priced competitively out of the gate not only gets more showings, it often creates a sense of urgency that drives stronger offers. Rather than starting high and chasing the market down, we start in the sweet spot and give the property the best chance to shine right away.
4. Lack of Desired Features
Austin buyers aren’t just shopping for square footage; they’re shopping for lifestyle. Increasingly, they expect smart home technology, energy efficiency, flexible layouts that accommodate hybrid work, outdoor entertainment space, chef-style kitchens, and clever storage solutions. If these features aren’t present — or worse, if they’re missing from the listing photos — buyers may not even book a showing. In a market with plenty of options, “good enough” often isn’t enough.
When a home already checks these boxes, we make sure it’s obvious. We highlight these features in photos and marketing copy so buyers can imagine their day-to-day life in the space. If a home doesn’t have them, we help sellers decide what’s worth adding — maybe it’s staging a flex room as an office, or upgrading light fixtures and appliances for a more modern feel. Even small touches can help bridge the gap and give a property a competitive edge.
5. Cheaply Done Construction or Poorly Flipped Homes
Buyers can spot a rushed flip or low-quality workmanship a mile away. Uneven flooring, cheap finishes, or poorly installed cabinets immediately raise questions about the rest of the house. In Austin especially — where many older homes are being flipped to meet demand — buyers have learned to look closely, and they won’t hesitate to walk away from a home that feels slapped together.
This is where honesty and quality matter most. For sellers, we stress investing in improvements that stand the test of time rather than cutting corners. For buyers, we draw on our experience to help distinguish between a solid home with cosmetic quirks and a house that’s been dressed up to hide deeper issues. Our role is to make sure clients don’t fall for poorly-done flips and to guide sellers toward updates that feel authentic, not cheap.
Our Take
Buyers in Austin are empowered — they have options, and they’re selective. That means sellers need to think like buyers, anticipating the non-negotiables and removing reasons to say “no.” We don’t just list and sell homes; we position all of our clients to succeed and love the home they live in.
