Common Mistakes that Home Sellers Make
A home is a living and breathing symbol of the people who have inhabited it, covered in the crayon-based cave-paintings of the children that grew up in it, the heartthrob posters of the teenagers that slammed its bedroom doors in the midst of a typical mood swing, the framed pictures of children and grandchildren and the family dog that managed to sit still for a Christmas photo shoot with Santa. Just as people can grow with their homes, they can also outgrow them, ready to make the move to another home for a variety of reasons: school, work, marriage, divorce, a growing family, a desire to start anew.
When the time comes to sell your home, there are many considerations that must be taken into account. This process will take time and effort, but it is more than doable with the right attitude and resources. Unfortunately, many homeowners make mistakes in the selling process, resulting in difficulty selling the home. Keep reading to find out five of the most common mistakes sellers make so you can avoid them.
Asking For Too Much
No one wants to buy a home that is obviously overpriced. Would you pay $50 for a cup of coffee that you know is worth $2? With the growth of the internet, people are resourceful, and buyers can calculate whether your asking price is fair with tools, research, and their own agents. The less interest buyers have, the longer your property will be on the market, and the greater the chance is that your property’s value or sale price will decrease. Price your property appropriately, looking at factors like the local market.
Lying to the Buyer
In an effort to get rid of the home faster, you may be tempted to lie to a buyer about the unsavory aspects of the home: the leaky faucet, the hole in the roof, the mold growing in a corner of your basement. Fixing these issues before you try selling the home is ideal, but if a problem still prevails by the time the property is put on the market, be upfront. Financially and legally, you do not want your lies to come back and bite you, the buyer pursuing legal action after finding out the home’s true conditions. Morally, being truthful is always the best option.
Not Being Prepared
Buyers will be unimpressed with a dirty home, appliances that are falling apart, and holes in the walls. Just as you would clean your home in anticipation of guests visiting, a dinner party, or a Christmas gathering with your in-laws, you want to make your home presentable. Moreover, you want to create a welcoming, clean environment in which the buyers can envision themselves. This process can involve cleaning, repairing, and staging your furnishings to frame this home in a certain light, something a realtor could help you with.
Not Using a Realtor
It is possible to sell your home on your own, but having a real estate expert immensely increases the chances of selling it. Real estate agents are well-versed in preparing and showing homes, negotiating offers, and pricing homes; it’s their job. They will know the market inside and out, will be able to answer any questions you may have, and have access to resources to aid you through this process.
Getting Too Involved
It makes sense that you feel emotionally invested: this house is your baby. You have seen it grow up, and you have grown up with it, even if for a short time. However, now that you will be selling the home and moving on to life’s next exciting adventure, you will have to distance yourself and your emotions from the property if you want to sell the home. You may attach sentimental value to the home in the form of overpricing, and you may not even realize that you are doing it. However, buyers do not want a home that is too expensive and unreasonably so. You may be used to seeing your home decorated a certain way, but styling this home to attract buyers is the smart choice. You may feel compelled to follow around these potential buyers who are touring the home, just to see if they are as impressed as you were initially as a buyer, but this may scare them away. It is important to remember that your goal here is to sell this house, and a seller is nothing without a buyer.
Selling a home is a process, just as buying a home was. It requires knowing how buyers think and operating from the viewpoint of someone selling not just a product, but an investment, an experience, a new life. Fortunately, the experienced realtors of Domain Realty Austin have the experience you need to help make the selling process easier on yourself. We have helped countless individuals in Austin and the surrounding areas sell their homes and move into the home of their dreams, and we are ready to do the same for you.
We have seen it all, from the common mistakes that sellers make, to the perfect selling situation that results in a win-win for both sides. We are here to help explain the process to you, help you every step of the way, and ensure that you get the full value for the home that you have cherished for so long. If you are considering selling your home, don’t wait, contact an experienced Austin realtor from Domain Realty Austin at (512) 872-4211 today.