Southern California is still experiencing a seller’s market, but your house won’t sell like the hot cake that it is if you shoot yourself in the foot right out the gate. No matter what market your area is experiencing, there are certain selling mistakes that will have your home sitting on the market gathering dust and doubt in the eyes of homebuyers.
Should you manage to escape the following traps and pitfalls, you can be sure that potential buyers will see the unique value in your home. Avoid these selling mishaps and you’ll be sitting pretty with multiple offers in no time.
Incorrect pricing
Inaccurate pricing is the mistake that is most likely to get your real estate stuck on the market for a very long time. On the one hand, homebuyers may be wary of a lower than the expected price tag on your home, assuming that something must wrong with the property. Overpricing however could delay the sale of your home even longer and have you lowering the price time and time again until your listing is stale and irrelevant.
The longer your property remains listed on the market, the bigger your potential financial loss will become. That’s why it’s so important to sit down with an agent and get a Comparative Market Analysis. Selling your home is a very personal decision but deciding on a price should be objective. So sit down with a professional and review the cold, hard facts of pricing your home.
Selling by yourself
Improper handling of the selling procedure can turn off potential buyers and simply drag out the process longer than necessary. If you don’t have an agent to answer calls, follow up with interested buyers and keep the lines of communication open, chances are you’ll have buyers who simply give up on your home. Unless you are experienced in real estate and have the time to devote to your sale, trying it alone isn’t such a great idea.
People who choose to sell by themselves often get tired of waiting for buyers and eventually close the deal at a lower price. A successful agent, however, has the strategy, market expertise, and personal connections to attract more buyers and bring more offers to the table than just a measly old Zillow listing will. Here are just a few more reasons your FSBO (for sale by owner) could go sour.
Bad photos
Amateur property photos are an eyesore and will scare away buyers before they can even make it inside the door. Yes, your iPhone takes great pictures but when it comes to listing photos, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Professional photography sells listings 50% faster, 39% closer to the list price, and generates 118% more online views according to IMOTO. Over 90% of home buyers start their search online and if they don’t like what they see, they may never look your way again.
At First Team we understand that great photography is an important factor that sells your home. That’s why it’s one of our New Rules of Real Estate. When you work with a First Team agent, we’ve got your photography needs covered.
Property defects
Yes, some homebuyers are looking are for a fixer-upper. But that also means they’re looking to submit a lowball offer and score a deal. If your home has small cosmetic defects like old paint, broken hardware, or a messy overgrown yard, then take the time to fix them. Fixing small property defects ensures no one passes you by because of minor issues and fends off investors looking to make a deal.
Work with a real estate agent and create a marketing strategy that makes sense for your home. With a bit of planning and savvy selling techniques, your home will be snatched off the market in no time! Find a First Team agent online or reach out and we’ll match you with a top producer in your area.
This guest post is written by Ella Andrews, granted on behalf of: removalcompaniestufnellpark.co.uk
