Buying a new home is a very exciting time in life. But, it can often be stressful due to all of the paperwork and costs associated with acquiring your dream home. Typically in order to obtain that new, dream home you need to sell your old house. Selling can also be a stressful process with a substantial amount of preparation and maintenance that goes into making your house as desirable as possible to potential buyers. We understand that there is a lot that goes into the process. In order to make selling your home as easy as possible, we’ve put together this list of the most common home selling mistakes we encounter.
Pricing Your Home Too High
This may seem like an obvious point, but we see it happen every day. Especially with Seattle property, because our home prices are generally higher than the rest of the nation. We understand that but you still should not put an astronomical price on your house simply because it is located in Seattle. We have seen homes sit on the market for YEARS because the owners refused to come down in price. We know that you want to get the best price for your home, but pricing it too high is the surest way to drive buyers away. This is where it becomes vital to work with an experienced Seattle realtor that knows the market and understands home values and what an acceptable home price is.
Not Choosing the Best Agent for You
Selling your home is a personal process. I mean, what is more personal than your home? That is why we recommend researching real estate agents and finding the one who can best fit your needs. Don’t just choose a real estate agent because your neighbor used them or you saw their advertisement. Take the time to research and meet with several Seattle realtors so you can find the best one for you.
Not Anticipating the Costs
There are a variety of additional costs when selling a home. You’ll need to anticipate closing costs, staging costs, home inspection repairs, moving expenses and of course the cost of your next home. An experienced realtor will help you anticipate and budget for this before your house goes on the market.
Smells
We know that you love your pets and consider them part of your family, but potential buyers might feel differently about being reminded of that every time they walk into the den. Make sure to take the proper steps to eliminate any lingering smells before showing your house. Whether it is from your cats, dogs, kids or even from potent cooking, pungent odors don’t bode well for an inviting atmosphere and they definitely don’t say “dream home”.
For Sale by Owner
If you think you can sell your home by yourself in order to save some money, think again. Statistics show that a typical home listed as for sale by owner sold for 25% less than homes listed with an agent. What’s more, less than 10% of all sellers actually sold their homes when listing them by themselves. 90% of homes listed with an agent sold. We think the numbers speak for themselves. If you’re selling real estate, you’re going to want an experienced realtor.
Keeping the Clutter
Nobody pictures their next home cluttered or messy. If you have piles of books, toys, paperwork, pet supplies or other items from your daily life strewn about, take the time to get rid of the mess before you show your home. This will make it look more attractive for buyers and help them envision the space as their own.
Skimping on Lighting
You want to show your home in its best light— literally! A bright room looks much bigger than a dim one, so open curtains, turn on lights and fill your overhead fixtures with high-powered 100-watt bulbs. Candles are great to create a cozy feeling and add some extra ambiance in smaller spaces as well.
Using Poor Quality Photos
If you wouldn’t post it to your Instagram, don’t post it on your home listing! Crisp, bright, clear photos are absolutely necessary when listing your home. You want to capture the beauty and positive aspects of your home so that online browsers will be compelled to check it out. Hire a professional photographer and let the photos speak for themselves.
Ignoring Home Repairs
We know repairs are another added cost, but most buyers do not want to buy a house that needs a major repair (or several small ones). So, take the time and money to properly handle necessary repairs and you will likely see your home sell much faster. Even minor issues like a door that won’t close, a leaky faucet or a crack in the ceiling can really deter potential buyers, so don’t skimp on repairs.
By following the above tips and tricks, your home selling process should go much smoother and will also hopefully save you time, money and trouble in the long run. If you are considering selling your home in the Seattle area, contact us with any questions, comments or concerns you may have. Vicinage Real Estate Group offers years of expertise in the Seattle real estate market and will get you on your way to an enjoyable and hassle-free home selling process.