7 biggest mistakes sellers make and how to avoid them

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7 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Make and How to Avoid Them

Homeowners often watch their homes sit on the market for months with very little activity. Or they have numerous buyers who come through the home and never put in an offer. They wonder why no one else has fallen in love with the home they adore. If youre about tolist your home, you should learn about the biggest mistakes sellers make and how to avoid them before you make your next move.http://michaelputnam.com

1. Not Doing Your Own Home InspectionIf you have an older home, its a good idea to have a home inspector give you the low-down on your propertys condition. While you have to pay for it out-of-pocket, it will be money well-spent. You can find out the issues ahead of time and decide which ones to fix to increase the selling price or to reduce the time it takes for your home to sell.http://michaelputnam.com

Even people with limited budgets can do something to make their homes more appealing to buyers. Sellers who hurry to put the For Sale sign out in the yard without making the necessary cosmetic changes will regret it. Even a bucket of paint can make a major difference in how your home appears to buyers, and it costs less than $20. Cleaning is another area sellers should never skimp on, and paying a professional company is well worth the investment.2. Not Doing Easy Updates and Preps

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3. Ignoring Curb AppealOvergrown bushes, dead grass, or a white picket fence thats no longer white can detract from your home. Buyers who drive past your property wont even consider stopping if they dont like what they see. Landscaping improvements can help a home sell up to six weeks faster and boost the value by as much as 14%, according to the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. It doesnt cost a lot of money to make improvements if you purchase in-season plants and focus on clean-up.


If youre working with an experiencedreal estate agent, this shouldnt be a mistake you make. Your agent will be upfront about how much you can get out of the home based on current market conditions. The key is to listen to their advice and be willing to drop the price if you dont get enough action. It also never hurts to have an appraisal so you have a good idea of pricing. You dont want to list your home for more than its worth, because buyers may not be able to afford the difference and lenders wont lend over the appraised amount.4. Setting Price Too High


5. Not Knowing What Youll Do NextSellers often wait to buy their next home until their current home is under contract. While this strategy makes sense if you cant afford two mortgages, it may delay the sale. Sellers who ask for a longer closing date may miss out on buyers unless theyre willing to offer other bonuses, such as paying closing costs or reducing the price. The better strategy is to have a plan in place if you sell your home and havent found a new one. Short-term rentals or moving in with family or friends are two options for the interim time.


6. Choosing the Wrong Real Estate AgentOne of the biggest mistakes sellers make is choosing a real estate agent based solely on a recommendation or because they know the person. Even if the person is a good agent, they may not be right for you or your situation. Choosing an agent should come from careful consideration and a lot of thought. They should be experienced in selling homes and marketing, and they should know your neighborhood. Otherwise, they may not know how to bring in the right buyers, and your home will sit on the market longer.


Not Appealing to the BuyersWhile you may think its your agents job to sell your home, its really your job, too. Whether youre trying to help by advertising your home or updating it to make it appeal to buyers, you have to know who your buyers are. Studies show that Millennials are the biggest category of home buyers with Generation X buyers coming in second. You should know what theyre looking for and how to appeal to them. For instance, dont assume the next buyer will be just like you and have three kids and a dog. Chances are if youve outgrown the house, it wouldnt appeal to them. Instead, your likely buyer may be a young couple or even a single person looking for a small starter home. Creating a neutral space anyone can imagine themselves living in will help your home sell faster.

Avoid these seven common mistakes of buyers and your home is sure tosell fasterand for more money.http://michaelputnam.com

Website: http://michaelputnam.com/Michael Putnam [email protected]:

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