The Top Mistakes of Home Sellers

Selling your home is not as easy as it may first seem. For many families that are doing it for the first time, it can be overwhelming. Many inexperienced homeowners make mistakes when it comes to selling their homes because they have no experience to fall back on.

It is a bit of an art to selling your home quickly, and there is a range of factors you should take into consideration to avoid the most common home seller mistakes. It goes without saying you should learn all you can from any friends or relative who has gone through it. You can lean on them for a bit of help and advice.

Who Is Your Real Estate Agent?

One very common mistake is not realizing the importance of the agent you hire. Many homeowners forget that they need to have a good working relationship with their selling real estate agent.

The truth is even today, many of us still don’t think about real estate agents as professionals. Understanding how to pick a Realtor to sell your home is a critical exercise. It really can make or break your sale.

When you first consider an agent, you should always make sure that he or she has the right credentials when it comes to selling houses. The more resources an agent has, the quicker your home will sell. Remember that getting a real estate license isn’t that difficult. Surprisingly, the barriers to entry in the real estate industry are very low.

Unfortunately, what this means is you really have increased odds you will pick a dud if you’re not careful. A careful interview process of the agent is critical.

It is important to work with an agent you feel comfortable with and learn to rely on their experience. Think about this for a minute – is the advice the real estate agent you hire bound to be solid advice? If you have any doubts then hiring this person could be a mistake. The article above at Active Rain provides some great tips for picking a real estate agent.

One extra tip – make sure your real estate agent is only going to be representing you in the sale! In other words, do not let the real estate agent practice dual agency. Dual agency is when your real estate agent works directly with the buyer and becomes a neutral party in the sale. They no longer represent your best interests. Obviously, not a good thing!

Getting the Price Right

One of the worst things a homeowner can do is to set the price on their home under unrealistic expectations. Far too often homeowners will set their price well above what it should be. Frankly, overpricing is the #1 mistake people make with their home. It is best to listen to what your real estate agent has to say. If you have picked a skilled agent, they will know exactly where your property fits into the market.

After all, they have the experience of selling homes every day, you do not. An overpriced home won’t sell period. One you overprice your home, you’ll need to recognize this fact and adjust quickly. Here are some solid reasons to reduce your home price. The real estate market will speak loud and clear to you. Listening will be your part.

Don’t Sit Back on Your Hunches – Get it Fixed

If your real estate agent tells you that you need to do some vital repairs, you should get on with doing them. A well-maintained home will sell faster than a house that has not been looked after on an ongoing basis. Keep in mind that the buyer will be doing a home inspection once the home goes under contract.

The last thing you will want is a house inspection deal breaker to rear its ugly head. Do what you can a fix any blatantly obvious parts of your property that are in disrepair.

Make a list of all of the repairs that you need to make. They may only be minor, but one thing is for sure, they will add value to your home and make it easier to sell. These are some low-cost home improvements that could do wonders in helping sell your place.

Selling According to The Seasons

There are selling seasons and it depends very much on where you are located in the country. If you live in a colder part of the country, it is not very likely your home will sell in the middle of the winter.

All parts of the country have optimum times for selling a home. Discuss this with your agent when you first consider listing your home.

Declutter and Depersonalize Your Home

Some sellers believe the need for decluttering their home is a street myth. This is another one of the most common home selling mistakes homeowners make. You probably love your clutter and it is what makes your home feel like your home. That is true, but a potential buyer is not going to appreciate your clutter. Removing your things will immediately make your home feel more “neutral” and less personal.

Have You Staged Your Home to Sell?

Once again, a lot of homeowners do not believe that “staging” their home matters. To a buyer, it matters a great deal. This is still a much-undervalued concept and may explain why some homes sell slower than others. It is not very hard to do, and these are some easy examples of how you can stage your home:

• Make sure that it is tidy and clean.
• Put some fresh flowers on the dining room table.
• Don’t leave the couch cluttered with cushions. A few color-coordinated cushions will make it look neat.
• Make sure that all surfaces in areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms are free from everyday objects.
• Tidy your cabinets and closets – a buyer will look for space for their belongings.

Are The Listings Photos Well Done?

Don’t be afraid to tell your selling real estate agent that you don’t like the photos. Thanks to internet marketing, photos are often what really sell a home. The more TEMPTING photos you have, the better.

The photos need to look inviting and show off the prime features of your home. Include photos of the front and back yard, but make sure both looking awesome first. Plant some colorful flowers or fill planters with seasonal flowers.

Final Thoughts

Don’t succumb to common home selling mistakes. Take control of the home selling process from the start, and your home will sell quicker than you may have first thought. Discuss any marketing changes you think might help with your real estate agent.

Remember that you and your agent are on the same team. Help them help you. A great relationship with your real estate agent will be a big part of a successful home selling experience.