Avoid These Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home

Sellers, in their quest to achieve their real estate goals, often make mistakes that can cost them money and also can kill a real estate deal before it gets started.

One of the first mistakes sellers may make is being home when their home is being shown.  Agents understand not every seller can leave home during a showing but being too excited about a buyer viewing the home, sometimes a seller can feel compelled to help the agent show the home.

This is a big mistake. The agent knows the wants and needs of their buyer. They also know their client’s viewing style. A seller may point out the very thing the buyer is trying to avoid.

A true story, a couple who had no children and wanted a nice quiet neighborhood were viewing a home. The seller who was home working in his office was asked what the neighborhood was like. The seller immediately assumed this couple would have young children and began with all the kids, the fun in the afternoon when the school bus let out and the sound of children laughing.  He went into the information about the ages of the children and how everyone in the neighborhood had children.

The buyers suddenly felt that as much as they loved the home they would feel uncomfortable in this neighborhood and moved on. This is an example of sellers trying too hard and not knowing that the buyers just wanted to know who was like them.  

Sellers at home inhibit the way a buyer tours the home. They will not open cabinet doors and they will stay one half the average time in the home. If the seller cannot leave they need to go for a walk or go on the deck and if asked questions answer only the questions asked.

Another mistake is sellers pricing on their needs and not on market value. This market is so demanding and a home will sell for the price that the market demands. Buyers will not make offers on over-priced homes. But the seller will make more money if a home is priced correctly when it goes on the market.

Sellers also make the mistake of rushing their home to the market. This can be a killer. An experienced agent will show a seller why this is a mistake. Photos taken of unstaged rooms or rooms you plan to paint. Cluttered closets and windows that need cleaning are just a few of the things that could cost you a sale in that critical 45 days when your home stands the best chance of getting an offer. Offers during this time will be your best but if your home is not ready for showings you will miss this opportunity. Take an extra few days and have your home ready for the market when the sign goes up.

Sellers should insist that their real estate agent have photos ready, flyers ready on day one and that the home has been staged before the sign is posted in the yard.

Rushing the home to market could result in poor photos or even worse no photos at all.

Take time to smell the roses, and then put them in a vase and call your agent and let them know you are now ready.

Want to know more about the Peachtree Corners real estate market go to PeachtreeCorners.com

Peachtree Corners Open House 5922 Spalding Park Place Sunday October 28th 2 - 4 Priced at $383,000

Next week is the monthly market update for Peachtree Corners.