Whether you’re selling your first home or your last, it’s no secret that the process can be an emotional one. But if you avoid these common mistakes, it can be less stressful and easier than you might think.
Overpricing is one of the most common mistakes sellers make, according to real estate experts. It can cost you in both time and money.
- Overpricing
Overpricing is one of the most common mistakes that sellers make when selling their homes. This is because home sellers often include the emotional value of their homes and forget about their actual value.
If you overprice your home, it can negatively impact the selling process and ultimately cause a sale to fall through.
The price of your home can affect how long it takes to sell and if buyers will even consider showing up at your house.
Overpricing can also deter buyers from looking at your home and increase your marketing costs. Overpriced homes also tend to sit on the market longer than comparable homes, which can impact how quickly your home will sell.
- Neglecting Curb Appeal
A home’s curb appeal is the first thing potential buyers see, so it’s important to make sure it stands out from the rest of the neighborhood.
According to the University of Texas, homes that have great curb appeal sell for 7% more than those that don’t.
While it may seem like a lot of work, you can easily increase your home’s curb appeal with a few quick fixes.
The most basic way to boost your property’s curb appeal is to tidy up your lawn and landscaping. It’s also a good idea to give windows, doors, hardware, and other surfaces a thorough cleaning.
- Failing to Make Repairs
Whether you’re selling a home that needs extensive repairs or you’ve neglected to make minor improvements, it’s important to address issues before they become costly and frustrating for buyers.
For example, if you have a cracked window seal, it may be more cost-effective to fix this problem before you list your home than to have a buyer ask for a repair credit after closing.
Similarly, it’s smart to address any major repair issues that show up in your pre-inspection report. These are often the most expensive, and you’ll want to be able to control which contractor is responsible for them and how much they’ll cost.
- Not Hiring an Agent
One of the biggest mistakes home sellers make is choosing to sell their own property instead of working with an agent. This can save money in commission fees, but it’s also a huge headache.
A good real estate agent should be able to guide you through each step of the home selling process, so that you’re in the best position to get top dollar for your home.
Having a professional agent is a huge advantage in this process because they’ll have access to resources and experience that you don’t have, which can help your sale go smoothly. But even if you choose to work with your friend or family member, it’s still important that you avoid these common home selling mistakes.
- Failing to Prepare Your Home
If you’re serious about selling your home, it’s important to take some time and make sure that it’s in the best possible condition. Failure to do so can mean missing out on a lucrative sale and may cost you a lot of time, money and stress!
One of the most common mistakes sellers make is neglecting to depersonalize their home. That means removing family photos, clutter and tchotchkes from the home’s interior.
