The Harsh “Deal-Breaker” That Instantly Turns Off Buyers (There’s a $5 Fix!)

Natural light: It’s a favorite for a reason. While many would put a bright, sunny home at the top of their wish list, not all homes are flooded with natural light. Sometimes an apartment is found on the northeast side of a building, or a home doesn’t have south facing windows at all. In that case, it’s important when you’re marketing your home for a sale that you flood it with gorgeous (if artificial) light — but there could be one lighting mistake you’re making that may instantly turn off buyers and make your home look harsh. 

Even the brightest homes can benefit from some well-curated lighting. If you’re trying to improve the lighting situation in your home, the best place to start is probably with the light bulbs that you’re using rather than with the light source itself. 

“In my experience, cold fluorescent lighting is an absolute deal-breaker,” says Amy Zdunowski, the owner of Nomad Staging Co. in Hopewell, New Jersey. “It instantly makes a space feel unwelcoming.” According to the stager and Realtor, fluorescent lighting is “harsh and clinical,” and can lend a sterility to your home that might make it feel more like an office or a hospital than somewhere you’d want to unwind at the end of the day. 

Before you go out and buy the warmest light bulb you can find, however, the stager also mentioned that she steers clear of overly yellow bulbs. “They give a room that old-timey bar vibe, and not in a good way,” she continues. Dim yellow bulbs can make a space instantly look dated and dull. The best place to land is somewhere in the middle to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. And, of course, you’ll want to make sure that all of your light bulbs match in color. 

When staging a home, Zdunowski first swaps out all of the worst lighting for fresh LED bulbs in a soft white or natural daylight tone. When shopping for bulbs, she recommends buyers look for LEDs in the 2,700 to 4,000 Kelvin range. “They provide the perfect balance of warmth and brightness,” she explains. 

The best part about changing out your light bulbs is that it makes a huge impact on a small budget. LED bulbs cost between $5 and $15 a bulb, and they last a long time. You may not even have to think about changing a bulb for several years. 

“For less than the cost of a fancy dinner, you can completely transform a space,” Zdunowski says. “I am also a Realtor — I know, 1,000%, good lighting sells homes. Period.”