As you put your home on the market, you may be making errors that will prevent buyers from purchasing your property. Though these home-selling mistakes can put a wrinkle in your plans, they’re preventable. Don’t be afraid to reassess your strategies—that may mean the difference between a purchase and a pass. Here are some of the biggest errors that sellers make:
- Avoiding neutral appearances. When you’re showing a house, you may have fond memories of your colorful home, convincing you to keep the walls and décor the same. However, those touring your property won’t have the same shared experiences. Instead, you’ll want to make sure that they can picture themselves—and their own future happiness—at the property. This means keeping your walls neutral, your floors clean, and your furniture relatively sparse. Consider talking to a staging expert and ask your agent how to best optimize your space.
- Pricing sky-high. After spending so much treasured time in your home, it’s easy to look at it with rose-colored glasses. However, if you try to sell it for too high of a price, it may be stuck on the market indefinitely. Be wise about your selling price. You may have to sell for less than you want, but that doesn’t mean that you and your agent can’t broker a fair deal.
- Choosing the wrong time of year to sell. Springtime and summertime are the best seasons to list your home on the market. Why? Well, it lets children make smooth transitions if they’re changing school and it’s easier to close a sale. Your home also has better curb appeal during the warmer months when the grass is green and the flowers are blooming. This makes listing your house during the wrong part of year one of the biggest home-selling mistakes to avoid.
- Concealing issues. Nobody wants to buy a home, only to find out that the former owners told tall tales about their property. Omitting the truth can make you liable for fees and lawsuits. Be honest, and make sure that your house is truly up to code.
- Refusing to delegate tasks. Selling your home is a complicated process. Make sure that you delegate your tasks by employing the right team. This can include staging experts, contractors, professional photographers, and of course, real estate agents. This will let you benefit from their expertise—and it will let you put your best foot forward when placing your home on the market.
Though putting your house on the market may seem nerve-wracking, you have the power—and knowledge—to succeed. Simply keep in mind these home-selling mistakes and make sure that you have a good team on your side. Eventually, someone else will treasure your old residence too!
Looking for a home-selling expert in the Auburn, Opelika, and Lake Martin area? Ryan Roberts has years of experience in the world of real estate. To get started, send him an email at [email protected] or call him at (334) 750-9872. To find out more useful home-selling and home-buying tips, take a look at our real estate blog!