If you have decided to sell your home, consider the
following mistakes often made by sellers.
By noting these it will make your home selling process much smoother and
less stressful. It will also probably
get you more money for your home in a quicker amount of time.
1.
Mistake:
Not getting a pre-listing home inspection done.
Many sellers pass this off, saying that there is nothing wrong with their
home and therefore they don’t need a home inspection done. However, home inspectors are professionals
who are trained at looking at both the immediate and future repairs as well as
any possible issues the home may have.
They also note easy problems that you can address on your own time
before negotiating with a buyer over repair costs. In the end, getting this pre-inspection done
can save you both time and money.
2.
Mistake:
Not prepping your home.
Some sellers don’t want to prepare their home for sale, but instead want
to try and sell it as is. This is a big
mistake and I can’t emphasize that enough.
By putting your house on the market unpainted with things needing
repairs it is going to stay on the market and if you get an offer, it is most
likely going to be below asking price.
By sprucing it up with a new coat of paint and fixing the little things,
buyers will be much more willing to consider the house. You will find that the
house will sell quicker and for a higher price.
3.
Mistake:
Choosing the wrong realtor.
Instead of looking for a well-known realtor® that has good reputation for
listing houses, some people tend to go with realtors® that are close to the
family or are friends of friends. Don’t
make this mistake. Pick a realtor® who
you know will market your home correctly and get you the most for your home in
the least amount of time.
4.
Mistake:
Not thinking about curb appeal.
The first thing a potential buyer sees is the outside of your home and as
we all have heard before – first impressions are everything. If a buyer doesn’t like the look of the
outside of your home, they may not even want to go in it. Consider taking the time or hiring someone to
pull weeds, paint the front door, and clean windows.
5.
Mistake:
Not disclosing information.
Not disclosing information is a mistake that you will end up paying for
down the road. If you don’t disclose the
information the buyers will find out before or after the sale. If they find out
before, you will end up in repair negotiations.
If they find out after, you could end up in court with a lawsuit. Neither situation is good, so it is always
better to disclose all information about your home. To clarify disclosing information it is
telling potential buyers information such as a leaky roof in winter or a pest
problem.
6.
Mistake:
Overpricing your home.
When you price your home, you ultimately determine who will and who won’t
look at the house. You have to remember
that the real estate is competitive and if your home is overpriced, buyers will
go on to the next one without second thought.
Listen to the advice of your realtor who can give you a comparative
market evaluation for your home to make sure it is listed at the correct price.
7.
Mistake:
Not preparing for a showing.
One major part of selling your home is having showings. Once you list your home on the market, expect
showings at all times. Make sure you and
everyone else living there keeps the place clean and presentable. Also, if you have pets, consider locking them
up for the showing. In addition, try to
make your home as neutral looking and smelling as possible.
Now that you know some of the major and costly mistakes that home sellers
make, you can avoid them. If you are
looking to put your home on the market, please don’t hesitate to contact me and
I will be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Astra
Mulawka
Sales Representative
Better Homes and Gardens
Real Estate Signature Service
