Spoiler: It’s not them, it’s probably your curtains. Or your cat, Cheryl…

So, you’ve listed your home in West Auckland. The sign’s up, your agent’s buzzing, and your kitchen bench has never been this clean. But after a few open homes, the excitement fades. You start wondering:

“Why are buyers ghosting us?”

“Where’s the love? The offers? The bidding wars?!”

Before you start rage-cleaning the toilet again, let’s talk about the real reasons buyers might be doing the ol’ view-and-vanish—and what you can do to stop it.

🧠 1. First Impressions Matter (Like, A Lot)

Buyers walk into your home and decide how they feel about it within 7 seconds. That’s less time than it takes to realise you’ve left a rogue sock on the stairs.

The fix:

• Declutter like you’re moving into a tiny house.

• Ditch personal photos (they make buyers feel like visitors at your house, not dreamers in their future one).

• Add fresh flowers, open windows, light a non-overpowering candle.

• And for the love of West Auckland—NO damp smells.

🐾 2. Pets: Cute in Photos, Not in Person

We love your cat. We do. But not everyone will appreciate being stared down by a long-haired tabby named Meatloaf while they try to picture raising children here. And what has he done in the corner of the spare room, is that what I think it is??

The fix:

Remove pets (and pet odours) during open homes. A quick vacuum and a spritz of fresh air goes a long way. If your house smells like a kennel, buyers assume there’s damage—even if there isn’t.

🧼 3. Cleanliness: Next Level Clean

Your “pretty clean” is not open home clean. Buyers notice smudges, streaks, weird marks on the wall—and they start mentally deducting $$ from their offer price.

The fix:

Go pro. A one-off professional clean pays for itself. Bonus: they’ll clean the bits you’ve conveniently ignored for years (like skirting boards and the top of the rangehood). Bonus tip: if you need a cleaner, call me. No, I’m not going to come clean your house, I DO have a list of fantastic cleaners who are local Westies like you and I. Problem solved!

🛋️ 4. Furniture Placement = Flow Vibes

If buyers feel like they need to turn sideways to get around your couch, they’ll think the space is cramped—even if it isn’t.

The fix:

• Remove oversized furniture.

• Reposition to create easy walkways.

• Borrow or rent furniture that suits the space. (Or get your agent to help—some of us have an eye for this stuff and a mild obsession with Pinterest.)

📸 5. Online Photos Don’t Match Reality

If your listing photos are heavily photoshopped or shot with suspiciously wide angles, buyers feel catfished when they show up. That’s not a vibe.

The fix:

Make sure you choose an agent who will keep your photos honest, well-lit, and professionally taken. Showcase the best features, but don’t Photoshop out reality. (Ahem, that’s me, I’m that agent 😉)

😬 6. Pricing: The Awkward Elephant

If buyers love the house but think it’s overpriced, they won’t even bother offering. In West Auckland’s market, they know what else is out there.

The fix:

Price realistically. Talk to your agent (hi, that’s me 👋) about current local market stats, recent comparable sales, and buyer trends. It’s not just about what you want—it’s about what the market will pay.

💡 TL;DR – How to Make Buyers Fall in Love:

• Clear the clutter

• Evict the pets (temporarily)

• Clean like your mother-in-law is visiting

• Stage for space

• Be photo honest

• Nail the price

If you’ve done all that and buyers are still ghosting you—call me. I’ll give your listing a full, honest refresh with West Auckland buyer behaviour in mind. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective (and a spray of eucalyptus mist).