Any one of these mistakes can cost you a lot of time and money. Make the best of your home sale, and maximize the price you receive, by not allowing any of the following to distract potential buyers or be the reason for an offer to fall apart.
Mistaking clutter for the “lived-in look”
Potential buyers want to picture themselves in your home but cannot if there isn’t room for their imagination to see themselves within your walls. Declutter table surfaces, create space in closets and unpack those over-stuffed shelves. Two good rules of thumb is that if it collects dust it should be boxed up and placed out of sight and if it is an area meant to store clothes, tools or furniture, (any closet, room or crawlspace) it should only be 30-50% full.
Leaving minor repairs for the new owners
Not finishing or leaving undone small jobs and cosmetic repairs can lower an offer by many thousands of dollars as new owners contemplate what is needed to bring your home up to their standards. Touching up paint, filling gouges in walls and replacing faucets will show that you take care of your home. Repairing a leaky roof, servicing the furnace and repairing the electrical system will fix things a home inspection will reveal which may otherwise derail the deal.
Pricing your home by emotion instead of market value
It’s easy to over-value your home or compare previous sold prices to a market environment that doesn’t exist in the here-and-now when your emotions get involved. A professional real estate sales person can guide you to the right price for current conditions and that will lead to a fast sale at the right price. Lowering the selling price a month after listing is a show of desperation and often brings even lower offers while a too-high price will keep buyers from even considering your property.
Hiring a realtor based on price instead of experience
An experienced real estate professional will not only advise you about the best possible price for your home but will have a marketing plan that puts your needs front and center. They should be able help you every step of the way, from preparing your home to be put on the market, advising on repairs and improvements to encourage a quick sale, and throughout the paperwork process of receiving and accepting offers. You should also receive help with dealing with the real estate lawyer, mortgage approval process, home inspections and more.
Don’t lose out on money, or a selling opportunity, by allowing any of these mistakes to get in your way.
ShareOCT