Don’t Do These 13 Things If You Want to Sell Your House
Selling your house is a big deal. It can sometimes be emotionally challenging and a test of your patience. Strangers may open up your closets, question your decoration choices, and, to add to the damage, offer you less money than your house is worth.
Amidst the chaos, it’s easy to overlook details that might significantly affect the outcome. So, what might seem irrelevant or unnecessary to you can be the difference between a “Sold” sign and a “For Sale” sign gathering dust.
Take a look at these 13 things you need to avoid that can send buyers running. Who knows? You might just find yourself a few steps closer to selling your house.
1. Overpricing Your Home
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You may think your home is worth every penny of that high price tag, but buyers will quickly swipe left. Remember, you want to attract buyers, not scare them away with sticker shock. Overpricing your house can alienate serious buyers searching within a specific budget.
Overpricing can also cause your house to sit on the market for too long, eventually causing you to drop the price below market level. To avoid such circumstances, consult a real estate agent to conduct market analysis and develop a competitive price.
2. Ignoring First Impressions
The exterior of your Tahouse, any house, is the first thing potential buyers see. And if it looks like a haunted house, they might not even bother stepping inside. Overgrown lawns, peeling paint, cluttered toys, or a messy yard can give the impression that the house is poorly maintained.
This can overshadow your true potential and charm as a homeowner and possibly prevent you from getting a great deal. Ensure your home’s exterior is clean, well-maintained, and attractive for buyers.
3. Leaving Personal Items Everywhere
Think about it. Buyers want to envision their lives unfolding in your home, which can be difficult if your personal items are everywhere. That includes the unpacked boxes of your belongings and your nifty vintage action figure collections.
Pack away personal items, family photos, and quirky collections, and try to move those boxes to your garage. This will earn you bonus points for the garage and allow buyers to picture their belongings in the space.
4. Neglecting Repairs
Although minor repairs might seem unnecessary to you, for serious buyers, they’re red flags that sing the tales of neglect. These include leaky faucets, squeaky doors, loose tiles, and cracked windows. What you consider an annoyance might make the buyers question the overall condition of your house.
So what if you’re not a handy DIY enthusiast? Having a professional look is worth ensuring the job is done right.
5. Failing to Erase Strong Smells
No one wants to buy a house that smells like last night’s fish fry, cigarettes, or your pet’s favorite pee-pad. Smells that linger are a major turn-off. Unpleasant smells can create an immediate negative impression and overshadow the more attractive features of your home.
No one would like to walk into a house and be hit with an olfactory assault. Potential buyers may wonder if there’s a hidden reason behind the smell. Clean carpets and upholstery, wash curtains, and ventilate your home thoroughly before inviting buyers for a house tour.
6. Ignoring Listing Online
Most buyers today start their search online. A non-existent online presence means fewer eyes on your property, which can lead to it sitting on the market for a longer time and possibly fewer offers. So, ensure a detailed, well-written listing packed with high-quality photos.
Highlighting your home’s unique features and providing information about the neighborhood and local amenities can make all the difference. Buyers are scrolling through countless listings; if yours doesn’t stand out, it might get lost in the crowd.
7. Skipping Open Houses
Open houses are the perfect tool for making noise and attracting multiple buyers simultaneously. This often creates a sense of urgency and competition among potential buyers, leading to quicker offers and maybe even a bidding war.
Even if you’re not entirely sold on the idea, think of an open house as a way for your house to charm its way into a buyer’s heart. After all, a little fanfare might turn a curious looky-loo into a committed buyer!
8. Leaving Pets Loose
Pets might be part of your family, but not everyone shares the same affection for furry friends. Letting your pets roam free during showings can be a painful distraction and a deal-breaker. This problem also extends to pet hair, toys, and kitty litter strewn over.
These things can leave a less-than-favorable impression on the buyer, which may cause them to reconsider the deal. Consider having your pets crash with a friend or pet service during the selling period.
9. Ignoring the Competition
Turning a blind eye to what other homes offer in your neighborhood can put you at a severe disadvantage. Hey, it’s always better to know what you’re up against. Attending open houses and browsing listings ensures you know all the features and amenities buyers seek.
Additionally, keeping tabs on the competition ensures your home isn’t just another face in the crowd. This will also help you understand pricing and highlight what features will make your house the belle of the ball.
10. Neglecting the Basement and Attic
Most homeowners overlook the basements and attics when they sell their houses. Don’t be like them. A basement with obvious signs of water damage and an attic filled with cobwebs can turn buyers off.
You need to sell the idea that these places are more than just storage: a home gym, an art studio, or even a party pad. The appeal of a tidy basement as a cozy hangout or a neat attic as a charming loft can turn the tide in your favor.
11. Not Offering Virtual Tours
Today, when almost everything is digital, skipping out on virtual tours is like throwing a party and forgetting to invite half your guests. They let potential buyers explore your property from the comfort of their couch. This will help you reach out to a larger audience and win you extra points, especially from those who are far away.
It would be best if you offered high-quality virtual tours. Why? It will highlight your house’s best features to the tech-savvy and provide a more immersive experience that photos just can’t.
12. Ignoring Buyer Feedback
Comments and suggestions from showings and open houses are crucial for understanding how potential buyers perceive your home. If multiple buyers highlight the same issues, they’re something worth addressing.
Buyer feedback can help you see things from the buyers’ perspective, increasing the likelihood of a successful sale. Ignoring this feedback means missing out on valuable insights that could help make your home more appealing and ready for sale.
13. Not Offering Incentives
Everyone loves dessert after dinner; the same idea applies to home selling. Offering perks like covering closing costs, throwing in a few appliances and furniture, or providing a home warranty can give your home the edge it needs.
This will make your property more attractive to buyers as they won’t have to spend money on or look for those things. If you don’t intend to go that far, staying in touch and checking in occasionally can still be beneficial. Remember, it’s those little extras that make all the difference.
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