8 common sellers mistakes to avoid, Homes

8 Selling Mistakes You Must Avoid

#1- Pricing Incorrectly– Overpricing your home puts you at a serious disadvantage. Buyers are smart and they or their buyer’s agent are keenly aware of a fair and honest value. If your home is over priced, buyers will simply not consider your home and go elsewhere. Considering that most all activity occurs the first 3 weeks after your home is listed and considering you have scared away these buyers, you are now working with only a small fraction of people that could have been the buyer you are looking for.

Overpricing also slows down the sale of your home making it “old inventory”. Smart buyers and agents are aware of this and will be even more tenacious when negotiating the final sale price. Price your home fairly.

#2– Neglecting to Prep the Home–It only makes sense to fix up your home so it is more appealing to buyers, Things like landscaping, paint, clean carpet, decluttering and a deep cleaning are essential to having your home in “show case” condition. Ignoring these easy, yet time consuming tasks can seriously affect the number of offers you get and the price you receive.

#3- “Please Go Away”- As much as you want to hear everything that is said about your home, please leave the home during a showing. The more a buyer is interested, the more comments they will make about the home and its condition. If you are around, buyers feel like intruders and are uncomfortable in relaying this crucial information. Let me professionally show the home and rely on me to call you if there are any questions asked that cannot be reliably answered,.

Please take your pets with you! Pets are great companions but can scare off buyers in a hurry! Some people are simply afraid of animals or are allergic. Taking your pet with you assures their care and best presentation of your home.

#4– Not Being Flexible With ShowTimes– Let’s face it, it’s not fun and a big inconvenience having to leave your home for a showing. However, the more flexible you are, the more buyers can view the home and the more chances of an offer you will get. Please be flexible with me and other agents that want to show your home.

#5– Not Being Prepared– Buyers want to know everything about your home so they can make a wise decision. Please take the time to get the following items so agents can quickly satisfy buyers inquiries:

¨ Tax documents ( school and property)
¨ Utility bills– 3 months is usually sufficient
¨ Property Deed– Available from County Clerk
¨ Home Owner Association Fees and Coverage
¨ Sewer, Water bills

Also, start to get your “professional team” together starting with a real estate attorney. You never know how quickly offers will start coming in ! When they do you want someone you can trust to review the contract and represent your best legal interests. Start looking for an attorney now. If you do not know of one, I can recommend a couple that have a proven record of service.

#6- “Boxing Gloves” Negotiations– Be positive when starting the negotiations with the buyer. After all, you both want the same thing– a sale! Leave most of the discussion of price, terms, possession, and other conditions to your agent. Our business is to get you the best deal!

#7– Over Improving– Be careful when taking on a major project before you sell. Spending too much on remodeling projects can drain money out of your pocket. If your improvements will push your homes value more than 20% over the average neighboring home values; don’t expect to recoup the entire cost.

# 8- Going it Alone–How much is YOUR time worth? While selling a home on your own is possible, studies show that realtors can often negotiate higher offers for the seller and sell the home more quickly than “do-it yourselfers”. Be sure to consider the cost of carrying a mortgage, taxes and home upkeep while adding up the true cost of selling your home. Add in the free advice, handling of intense paperwork and stress relief that a realtor offers and the decision to use an agent makes dollars and sense!