1. Pricing Your Property Too High
Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her property. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your property at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price. A skilled Realtor will help to safeguard you and price it very close to selling price.
2. Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value
Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your Realtor for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.
3. Forgetting about "Curb appeal"
You do not get a second chance to make a good first impression. A buyer's first impression can make or break whether the want to look inside. Estimates are that about half of all houses are sold before the buyers even get out of the car. So, be sure to stand outside your home and take a realistic view and ask "what can be done to improve the curb appeal". Ask Miguel how to improve the curb appeal, it could make a big difference in the final sales price.
4. Forgetting to "showcase your home"
In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, it is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers. Get rid of clutter. Throw out now what you plan to discard later.
5. Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the Property
Your Realtor should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques. Your Realtor should also be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during business hours, so make sure that your Realtor is working on selling your home during these hours. Chances are that you have a job, too, so you may not be able to get in touch with many potential buyers.
6. Trying to Sell to "Shoppers instead of Buyers"
A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a "for sale" sign he saw may not really be interested in your property. Often buyers who do not come through a Realtor are a good 6-9 months away from buying, and they are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate.
Your Realtor should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. If your Realtor fails to find out this pertinent information, you should do some investigating and questioning on your own. This will help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing towards the wrong people. If you have to do this work yourself, consider finding a new Realtor.
7. Not Knowing Your Rights & Responsibilities
It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what you are responsible for before signing the contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws affect your transaction? What things do you need to disclose to prospective buyers? Not knowing the answers to these kind of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money.
If you follow these Selling Mistakes to Avoid, you will be in a much better position to sell your home quicker for top dollar.