What Not To Do When Selling Your Home

Now that it’s time to sell your home, you’re probably trying to make sure you get everything right.  You don’t want to make any mistakes that could cost you a top dollar sale.  However, there are many common mistakes that sellers often make.  Not because they don’t know any better, but because they truly believe they are right despite what their realtor is telling them.  Here are some of the most common seller mistakes that could easily be avoided.

  Here is an example of a presentable master bedroom for showings

1.  Don’t overprice your house.  We know you have lived in and loved your house and you’re probably emotionally attached to it on many different levels.  However, no matter how much you have put into the house or how many upgrades you have completed or how much you owe on it, your home is only worth what the market is willing to pay for it.  Even if yours is the best house on the block.

2.  You must remove all clutter and all personal items.   Your buyers need to be able to picture themselves living in your home and they can’t do that if they see your personal decor and your family pictures, etc. all around the house.  You need to keep it as neutral as possible.  Additionally, by keeping everything to a minimum, you will make your house appear bigger and cleaner.  So go ahead and pack up anything you aren’t using and store it until you are ready to move.  You have to pack anyway and this is a great way to get a  jump on things.

Presentable Family Room- from our listing 45 Eastfield.

With all clutter removed.

3.  Be prepared for lowball offers.  Lower than asking price offers are inevitable.  You will receive lowball offers but don’t get offended and whatever you do don’t ignore them.  This is your chance to negotiate a better offer.  You can’t blame the buyer.  Some sellers will accept a low ball offer if they are in a desperate situation.  But that doesn’t mean you have to.   Just take some time and try to get the buyer up to a price that is agreeable to both of you.

4.  If something is broken – fix it.  And that means everything!  Never neglect to fix something that is broken no matter how small it is.  The minute your buyer sees something that needs to be repaired, they will begin to look for anything else that may be wrong with your house.  Additionally, it will cause them to wonder just how well you have maintained the house over the years.  Once the buyer is in this mindset, it’s very difficult to change it back.

5.  Don’t skimp on the marketing.  About 80% of homebuyers will start their home search on the internet.  The internet offers them thousands of options from which to choose.  If you only have a few low quality pictures of your home and most every other ad has plenty of high quality pictures, as well as, virtual tours; which ads do you think they are going to click on?  Yep, that’s right – the ones with the great pictures and virtual tours.  Talk to your realtor about how to get the most out of your advertising.

    Clean & presentable decor ready for marketing.

Taken from one of our listings on the market.

Selling your home doesn’t have to be a chore.  Allow your realtor to guide you in the right direction.  Your realtor has the experience to sell your home quickly and to help get you the highest selling price possible.  Therefore, take his advice and know that he is doing everything in your best interest.