3 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Selling
For anyone that has not sold a house before, the process can quickly become overwhelming and drawn out. Typically, this is due to the homeowners making the wrong choices when putting the house on the market.
Most homeowners feel like their house is worth more than it is, will neglect to maintain the property throughout the sale process, and do not put in the time to showcase the house to its full potential.
When selling your home, avoid the following mistakes.
Price
The first mistake many homeowners make is putting too high of a price tag on their home. Most homeowners think about the amount of work that has been put into the house and the amount that they initially paid. In an ideal world, everyone would get back all the money that they have invested in a property.
However, this is rarely the case.
Large renovations on a house can add some value to the property. Rarely will it add the exact value of the renovation. Renovations can help a property sell quickly, but they will not increase the price exponentially.
The best way to value a home is to take into consideration other properties that have sold in the area that are in similar condition. Pricing just below this price point will help generate interest in the property. Too high of a price will drive buyers away. A lower price point can generate more interest and multiple offers on the house, which can increase the amount in which people offer.
Maintenance
Most homeowners know that the house should be in pristine condition when it is put up for sale.  After the initial showing and a few walk-throughs, many homeowners stop maintaining this condition. They let the grass grow a little too long, will allow clutter to pile on the counters, and allow the house to get a more lived-in look.
It is always best to keep the property in showing condition throughout the process. Even when a deal is being made. There will be a final walk-through and the potential buyer will expect the property to be in great condition before they purchase it. No one wants to clean up a mess the previous owner has left behind.
Pay attention to the yard, especially. It is the first part of the house people will see. Most people can make a decision about a house on the condition of the yard and the outside of the house. If these areas are not maintained, buyers will assume the rest of the house is also in similar condition. A neat and tidy yard will help generate interest in viewing the inside of the home.
First Look
Whether people intend to or not, the first impression of a person or a house is typically the one that sticks. Having great pictures to advertise the house is vital to the selling process. Most people will judge a house just by the pictures that are posted. If the pictures are beautiful and make the home look large and well-maintained, more people will want to view the inside of the home.
After seeing the pictures, people will often drive by the house. This is why it is so important to keep the yard well maintained throughout the selling process, even if no walk-through is scheduled.
People love a no pressure situation and will take the opportunity to drive by the property when the owner is not aware. This way they can judge the house without a realtor or owner present. If they like what they see, they will ask to see the inside of the house with a realtor.
Do not make the mistake of assuming the house will sell itself. There is a lot of work that goes into trying to sell a house. Most buyers have high expectations and expect a low price. They want to get the most house for the least amount of money. While this can be discouraging for homeowners, many times a well-maintained property that is priced low can generate enough interest to push the price back up.