Deadly Mistake #1. Real estate agent Vs. a Realtor™.
When you’re looking for help buying or selling property, it’s important to remember that the terms “real estate agent” and “Realtor™” are not synonymous. Realtors™ can provide an extra level of service and to be a Realtor™ you must be a member of the National Association of Realtors™ (NAR). You are more likely to find better service and accountability by using a Realtor™.
Deadly Mistake #2. Not knowing how to price your home.
This is the one area where a good Realtor™ can more than pay for themselves. The pricing of the home can be detrimental in two ways: listing the price to low could allow for a house to be sold for far less than it is really worth or listing the home too high can be as bad as too low. If the listing price is too high, a percentage of buyers looking in the price range where your home should be will not find the house because of the higher price. This is the major flaw in thinking that you’ll always have the opportunity to accept a lower offer. There is a good chance that an offers will never appear, because the Buyers who would be most interested in your home have been scared off by the price and aren’t even taking the time to look.
Deadly Mistake #3. Underestimating the value of “curb appeal.”
A buyer’s first impression can make or break whether they even want to go inside for a look. It is estimated that more than half of all houses are sold before the buyers even get out of their cars. Ask your Realtor’s™ opinion as to how to improve the curb appeal. It could make a huge difference in your final sales price.
Deadly Mistake #4. Complacent marketing.
Effective marketing will help ensure that your property receives maximum exposure to attract a ready, willing and able buyer in the shortest period of time. Ask your Realtor™ to list for you all of the ways he/she intends to market your home and on what time-line. Also, be sure to ask about the home being advertised on the Internet.
Deadly Mistake #5. Not Letting Your Realtor™ do his job.
You will be better served if you allow your Realtor™ to do their job without you there to interfere. A good Realtor™ will act as a buffer between the client Seller and buyers. Furthermore, many potential buyers usually feel more comfortable speaking freely to their Realtor™ without the owners being present. If a potential Buyer, without a Realtor™, requests to see your property, you should refer them to your Realtor™ for an appointment.
Deadly Mistake #6. Forgetting The Buyer’s Perspective.
Remember that although people can be different in personality, they tend to be the same when it comes to expectations at someone else’s expense. In other words, a prospective buyer would probably like to see a perfect home from top to bottom, inside and out, when it comes to your home. Try to do as repair, replace or correct as many items as possible to improve the likelihood of your home sale in an expedient way.
Deadly Mistake #7. Using a “convenient” Realtor™ rather than the best Realtor™.
When working with a Realtor™, it’s critical that you have full confidence in that agent’s experience and education. A skilled, knowledgeable Realtor™ should be able to explain to you exactly why your home needs to be priced at a certain level – compared to recent listings and sales of homes similar to yours. Experienced agents also know exactly what the current pool of buyers are looking for in relation to particular styles and price ranges of properties. Using a Realtor™ because they live near you, have the same last name or go to your church is not a good idea. Perhaps they are a great Realtor™ and may be the one you choose, but only because they are skilled and competent and not for any other reason.
Deadly Mistake #8. Not planning your move earlier enough.
Many sellers simply don’t plan their move early enough and then feel totally overwhelmed at the time of moving out of the house. If you are able to move at any time of the year, don’t wait until summer, the peak-moving season. Consider also that the first and last few days of the month are extra busy. If you plan to sell your house, get it on the market as soon as possible. Trying to “time” the market for the best time of the year or best day of the month is very tricky and really isn’t as important as most people think. If you are ready to move, then place the house on the market and don’t wait for “the perfect time” as it will never arrive.
