Significant Selling Slips
Mistakes happen all the time; they’re part of human nature. Whether it’s as mundane as getting a math calculation wrong, or as adventurous as trying that gas station sushi, everyone makes mistakes. However, in life there are some mistakes you can avoid, like ones that could potentially drive a potential buyer out of your home. This week, we’re here to tell you some of the most common selling mistakes, and ways to avoid them.
One of the biggest mistakes we see around this region is in regards to open houses. When preparing to have an open house, some sellers do not clean up the clutter in their home. This may seem like an obvious thing to do, but sometimes, you get so used to seeing that mail pile on the counter that you just look over it and not think anything of it. Take it from us, the less clutter you have, the better reception your home will receive.
Another common mistake sellers make is refusing to fix simple issues before the home inspection, and even the open house. Leaky faucets, loose handrails, and doors that cannot be locked properly all need to be fixed or replaced before the open house or home inspection. These items may make their way onto the inspection report, and the longer that list is, the more likely buyers will want to negotiate for less.
Speaking of negotiations, many sellers will become stubborn once the negotiation phase hits. Stubbornness and a refusal to compromise in negotiations not only looks bad on you, but the sale of your home will suffer as well. For more tips on negotiations, check last week’s article, where we detailed tips and tricks to negotiations.
Finally, the biggest, and most costly mistake home sellers can make is choosing to sell their home “by-owner” instead of listing with an agent. A “by-owner” approach may seem like a good idea at first, but a lack of research and experience in real estate may leave that “for sale” sign out on the lawn for years on end. Having an American Dream realtor list your home will not only get if off of your hands faster, but it will also secure a better price for your home. It’s a win-win that can’t be beat.
While mistakes will happen, some mistakes can be avoided. We strive to sell your home in the most timeliest fashion, but we can only do so much; in the end, it is the seller who can make or break the deal. Avoiding common mistakes can prevent unwanted consequences in any instance, but it holds especially true for real estate (and sushi).
