Are you serious about selling your home? Consider these common seller mistakes:
1. Pricing too high: It's no secret, price is everything. Overpricing does more to discourage buyers than any other single factor. This leads to long days on the market, and costs you, the seller, money in the long run.
2. Poor condition: A home that needs repairs, or is in poor condition, does not excite buyers. A home like this is looked at by buyers as a work project and a money pit.
3. Poor curb appeal: Most buyers today want to drive by. If your home is an attractive drive-by, it will gain more attention and certainly more showings.
4. Dreary dark homes don't sell: Buyers like updated, light and bright homes. Dark carpets, paint, and curtains are often buyer turn-offs. Go through your home and remove clutter, touch up and update paint, counter tops, and carpets. Open your home up and make sure the sun shines in. Offensive odors from pets and smoking are also huge turn-offs to most buyers.
5. Don't over improve: Get your home in good showing condition, but don't overdo it.
6. Be financeable: Bad roofs, poor exterior paint condition, or structural problems may make your home un-financeable. The wider the scope of financing that your home can qualify for, the higher the overall market value.
7. Get good advice and good market exposure: Hiring an experienced, real estate professional will help you get your home priced right and will also get you the best advice on fix ups.
8. Don't be present during showings: When your home is being shown, leave the area. Go for a walk or a drive.
9. Let your agent do the negotiating: If there is ever a good reason to have an experienced agent working for you, it's during the negotiation of your home sale.
10. Act fast with offers: When you do get an offer on your home, act quickly and decisively. Letting offers sit around without acting on them can be a huge mistake. Things can change quickly in the mind of a prospective buyer. Acting quickly while the excitement and interest levels are at a high point can be very important. Typically, a buyer's motivation level decreases with time. Buyer's remorse can even set in. Acting in a timely manner is essential.