A recent poll of top industry professionals narrowed it down to the top 7 mistakes sellers make when putting their house on the market. If you work with an experienced agent, you are more likely to avoid these expensive mistakes – get the best price for your home and sell it in a timely manner.
1. Difficult To Show – Buyers often see up to 8-10 homes while shopping, if your is only available to show Sunday between 2-4 then you are missing out on lots of potential offers. While it is inconvenient to tidy up and leave the house at a moments notice, you have to hit while the iron is hot. Often buyers notice your yard sign or advertisement and want to see it right away, not wait until open house or next day or two.
2. Cluttered Space – Sellers are frequently reluctant to compromise on how they live in their homes while they put it on the market, but savvy sellers realize they need to depersonalize their home to allow potential buyers to picture themselves in their home. We tell our sellers “we know you have beautiful children, but now its time to tuck the photo galleries away and leave the walls blank or with a few neutral art pieces or a tasteful mirror”. Any collections of personal items must be tucked away too. Less is more when it comes to tchotchkes and showings.
3. Unpleasant Odors – Nothing stops a buyer in their tracks faster then a strong odor. It could be from fish cooked at dinner, dirty socks, or extreme cases pet urine and smoking. We always suggest that a seller empty all trashcans prior to leaving the house each day.
4. Seller Unwilling To Make Repairs – We get it, No seller wants to spend thousands of dollars making repairs prior to selling but buyers don’t want to place an offer on a home that needs a ton of work before moving in. some sellers want to offer credit for certain repairs many brokers say that strategy isn’t always the best. If at all possible, make the repairs before you put the home on the market,.
5. Messy House – It happens to all of us, you are late for work and run out of time to tidy up prior leaving the house. Does it make a difference? You bet it Does! Buyers will not emotionally connect to a house if there are dirty dishes in the sink and clutter in the living room and bedrooms. Take extra time to tidy before you leave the house, or better yet, hire a house cleaner to pop in for an hour each day to or so to make sure the home stays sparkling clean.
6. Sellers Playing Tour Guide – No one likes it when a salesperson follows them throughout the store while they are shopping. The same thing goes for buyers. If the homeowner is hovering, the buyers do not get the chance to discuss things with their agent, check out the cabinets and storage capability, etc. Bottom line, you must leave the house during showings. Take a walk, grab coffee or run your errands during this time. Give your potential buyers some privacy.
7. Hiring A Friend Or Family Member – Let’s say you decided to go with your aunt or a friend that just got into the business, that’s sometimes a bad idea. Most experienced agents will tell you before listing you may want to interview more than one agent. Be sure to ask each of the agents questions about why they think they are the best choice to sell you home,
If you are thinking of selling your home or have any questions about the real estate market in your neighborhood or the value of your home or any real estate questions, give us a call 619.980.2738 or 619.851.4084 we are here to help!