Selling a home is a long process with a lot of moving parts to it, and there are many errors that can occur, especially if it is your first time selling a home.
Mistakes can sometimes be detrimental to the sale of your home, but knowing what to look for ahead of time can help you avoid them so that you can have the best possible selling experience.
Read on to find out some of the most common mistakes sellers make and how to avoid them.
Not Working with an Agent
While it is possible to sell a home without a real estate agent, hiring one can increase the profits of your sale while reducing the stress associated with selling. They will help you price your home properly, market your home effectively, prepare your home for showings, and so much more. Interview multiple agents to find one that will be best for you. Check their licensing credentials, experience with selling in your area, and their potential marketing strategy for selling your home. Remember, a good agent will have YOUR best interests at heart.
Underestimating the Cost of Selling
Make no mistake, you will spend money to sell your home, and you have to be prepared for those costs before you get started with the process. Some of the costs you can expect are your real estate agents’ commission (5-6% of the selling cost), closing costs, repairs, and more. Additionally, if you plan to buy your new home while you are in the process of selling your old one, you will have the costs of moving into the new home and paying the mortgage and utilities for both homes until you finally sell off the old one.
Though many of the costs can be paid with the money earned from selling your home, certain situations can leave you without adequate funds to cover the costs. It’s best to consult with a real estate agent to plan out the costs before you begin the selling process.
Setting an Unrealistic Price
Setting an accurate price for your home is essential. It can be tricky to find a balance between the price you want and the price that buyers are willing to pay. An overpriced home is not going to sell in a timely fashion, but if you set the price too low then you will not be getting what you deserve out of the sale. However, it is better to initially set your price at the lower end because it leaves more room for negotiation. Comparing your home to similar homes which have recently sold in your area will help you set a realistic price, but it’s best to work with an agent to determine a strong pricing strategy.
Taking the Highest Offer
While one of the goals of selling your home is to make the most profit from the sale, going with the highest offer may not be in your best interest. For example, someone might offer more money than other buyers but might not meet all of your contingencies – which are conditions that must be satisfied to close the sale. Contingencies can protect your interests such as financing or inspection and can impact the timeline of the sale, the certainty of it, and the complexity.
Ignoring Repairs
Repairs can make or break your sale. If you don’t address maintenance issues before selling, it can turn buyers off and ultimately decrease your home value. Buyers expect your home to match its description so they will look elsewhere if there are glaring issues. Trying to hide the problems is not a good idea either since the buyer will find out about them during the inspection before closing. It is best to make the repairs before selling. If not, set the home at a lower price and allow the buyers to fix it on their own if they choose.
Not Preparing the Home for Showings
Preparing your home for showings is a vital step to take to ensure a successful sale as houses that are well-prepared for showings beforehand sell faster. This means you will need to deep clean and declutter your house from top to bottom. You should also remove personal items, so prospective buyers can picture themselves in the home. It’s also important to clean outside your home to improve its curb appeal.
Not Taking Professional Listing Photos
Buyers typically look online for potential homes, so making sure your listing photos are top notch is going to be key to grabbing their attention. Good photos will definitely set your home apart from the rest. Make sure that they are crisp and clear of any unnecessary items that might make your home look cluttered. Be sure to take them during the day to get the best lighting. Choosing to work with a real estate agent will be beneficial since they often work with quality equipment or will hire a professional to take the photos.
Ready to Sell in Houston?
If you’ve read this entire article, then you are serious about selling. Contact Keith E. Ford at 832-788-7037 to learn more about selling in Houston!
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