Avoid these common home-selling mistakes
We know that selling your home can be an overwhelming and stressful process. Make sure your experience goes smoothly by avoiding these common home-selling mistakes.
Neglecting repairs
When thinking about home repairs, try to think like a buyer. Would you look for these specific repairs? Or, would these repairs be important to you? The last thing a buyer wants to do is move into a home they have to repair immediately. Look through your home and fix anything that you know is broken or potentially could work better. Skimping on these repairs can also give buyers reason to request a price reduction.
Using low-quality property photos
Photos are one of the first things buyers look at when considering a new home. Make sure that you have high-quality photos to accompany your home listing. Also, make sure that you display photos of each room. Buyers are looking to visit the best homes they see online, so low-quality pictures can be detrimental to your sell. Keep in mind, great photos are well worth the investment.
Selling your home before it’s ready
Unless you are moving abruptly, it’s important to take the time to prepare your home for sale. Buyers usually can tell how much time and effort has been put into the home. Make sure all repairs and updates are made before putting your home on the market. You also wouldn’t want a buyer viewing your home through active renovations. It’s important to give buyers the full picture of your home’s potential livability.
Being unprepared for an open house
If a potential buyer attends your open house, they most likely have some interest. An open house is your chance to impress buyers, so make sure your home is clean and looking its best. Also, keep in mind that buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home. With this in mind, make sure your home is staged simply enough to appeal to more homebuyers.
Mispricing your home
Mispricing a home is one of the top selling mistakes. While you should never underprice, it’s important to be realistic about what your home is worth. Work closely with your agent to determine the perfect price. This will give your home a better chance of selling quickly and you won’t be left wondering if you could have gotten a higher price.
Neglecting updates
Not only do updates attract potential buyers, they also increase your home’s value. Simple updates such as a fresh coat of paint or new landscaping can go a long way. If you are on a budget, make the first changes to the bathrooms and kitchen. These are the first rooms that buyers seem to remember and consider for renovation needs upon purchase.
Not using an agent
This is another one of the most frequent selling mistakes. Real estate agents are available because they have the knowledge and expertise it takes to sell homes. Not using an agent puts sellers at a disadvantage before their home even hits the market. Your agent wants to sell your home and will provide the guidance you’ll need during the process.
If you would like more information about selling your home, or to speak with an ARC agent, call us at 205-969-8910.
