Making mistakes when selling your home can cost you time and money. They may even risk the sale altogether.
The good news is you can avoid making mistakes if you are aware they exist in the first place. Here is what not to do when selling your home.
Don’t Ignore Repairs
Your house needs to be in the best shape possible when you go to list. Homeowners lose out on potential profits if they neglect to make repairs before their property goes on the market. Even if you can’t see the repairs that are needed you can bet that they will come to light during the inspection phase of the sale. You definitely don’t want any surprises.
Don’t Leave Out the Clutter
Some say clutter kills deals. It can be hard for buyers to look past all of the stuff in a property and really see its true potential. And that can mean a loss of profits for the seller.
Don’t Sell Your House Empty
Buyers have a hard time visualizing a space when it is empty. It’s difficult to tell how large a room is. In unique spaces, buyers sometimes don’t even know what a room is for.
When selling your home, take out the guesswork and list the house with furniture in the spaces.
Don’t Price Your Home Wrong
Pricing your home too low or too high can be a big mistake that can cost you a lot. Before settling on a price be sure to do your research on the market conditions. Review the comps, scout the competition and price your home according to the market, not what “think” it should be worth.
Don’t Forget the Details
Buying a home is an emotional experience. Make sure you create a space that buyers will fall in love with during showings and open houses. Go easy on the scented candles and music but make the property look homey and irresistible.
Don’t Have a Big Ego
Yes, you think your house is perfect. You think you should get more for your property than any of the area comps. While you may place a high value on your home, you need to let go of the ego and emotions during negotiations or you could walk away from the best deal.
Don’t Leave Anything Off Your Disclosure
Honesty is the best policy with this one. Fill your disclosure out completely and reveal everything. If you don’t, it could come back to haunt you during the home inspection.
Don’t Time Your Sale Wrong
Be mindful of when taxes are due. If you time your sale wrong, it could cost you tens of thousands in extra taxes.
Don’t Overlook Extra Fees
Look over your list of fees and expenses carefully before it’s time to close. Make sure there are not any errors and that you are not asked to pay more than you should be.
Keep these real estate don’ts in mind when selling your home. By being smart and avoiding mistakes, sellers can end up with the best deal for their situation.
