8 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

So you’ve decided to sell. Congratulations! As you work through your to-do list, it’s just as important to know what not to do. Avoid these common mistakes and you’ll be in a much better position for a smooth sale at the right price.

1. Overpricing Your Home

It’s natural to want top dollar, but pricing too high is one of the most common and costly mistakes. Buyers compare your home with similar homes nearby: size, bedrooms and baths, age and condition. If yours looks overpriced next to the competition, it can sit on the market, and buyers start to wonder what’s wrong with it. A competitive price attracts more interest and can even bring multiple offers, which often means a better final price and a faster sale. We’ll prepare a market analysis of recent sales and current competition to help you set the right price.

2. Over-Improving

A few smart fixes, like updating a dated appliance or replacing a cracked vanity, can pay off. Big, personal projects usually don’t. That custom basement with a wet bar and a stage for your band? A family looking for a kids’ playroom may see it as a big project to undo. Make the needed repairs, but don’t go overboard, or you may not get your money back. (More on this in Remodel, Move or Sell?)

3. Over-Decorating

You may love lace and lavender, but a buyer might walk in and cringe. Tone down bold colors and personal décor so your home appeals to as many buyers as possible.

4. Skipping the Prep Work

Broken windows, peeling paint and clutter all give buyers a reason to hesitate or offer less. A little time spent decluttering, cleaning, fixing and staging makes a big first impression. See our step-by-step guide, How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell.

5. Underestimating Photos and Marketing

Most buyers see your home online before they ever see it in person, and great photos can make the difference between a busy first weekend and a quiet one. That’s why every one of our listings is professionally photographed.

6. Hanging Around During Showings

Your agent calls to say buyers are coming by this afternoon, so you gather the family and the dog at the door with fresh-baked cookies, right? Not quite. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your home, and that’s hard to do with the owners watching. Let them explore and discover things on their own. Take the kids and pets and head out. If you can’t leave, at least step outside to the backyard.

7. Taking It Personally

Real estate is a business, but selling your home is emotional. Not every visitor will make an offer. Some are just browsing or getting a feel for the neighborhood. And when a buyer makes a low offer or says they’d replace your prized vintage shag carpet, try not to take it to heart. Keeping your expectations in check and staying patient will make the whole process less stressful.

8. Choosing the Wrong Agent

The right listing agent knows your local market, has a clear plan to market your home, and makes you feel confident in your decisions. Ask questions before you sign a listing agreement, and make sure you understand what it says about each side’s responsibilities.

Thinking of selling? Give us a call. We’d love to walk you through our plan for getting your home sold.

Home Selling Resources

Home Buying Resources