Commom Selling Mistakes

Choosing the right Realtor is the first step in avoiding common selling mistakes. Find a Realtor who can guide you through the detailed and confusing documents for listing your home. Be sure that any questions you have are answered to your satisfaction, and know what responsibilities and obligations you have. Any contract you sign should allow you to fire your Realtor and list with someone else, but that costs additional time and money, so choose carefully.

Limited marketing and exposure of your property can keep qualified buyers from even knowing that your property exists. A good Realtor will utilize a website, open houses, a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and other techniques to give your property high visibility on the market. With the use of these tools, your property is more likely to sell quickly and bring in the best price. 

Incorrect pricing can also hurt sales potential. Other Realtors will avoid showing clients overpriced properties, significantly reducing visibility and causing the property to sit on the market for an extended time. In order to sell, the price will eventually be reduced, forcing the seller to accept a lower offer. Conversely, pricing too low may sell your property quickly, but could cost you thousands. To correctly assess the value of your property, your Realtor should re-evaluate the market monthly.

Under-motivated or over-motivated sellers can sabotage the transaction, as well. Under-motivated sellers often neglect making important repairs, considering alternative financing terms and making the property available for necessary inspections and showings. These sellers often fail to stage their home appropriately for showings or open houses, losing the interest of potential buyers.

Over-motivated sellers, on the other hand, may try too hard to make the sell. They often attempt to haggle and negotiate during showings. Though it is advisable to be helpful and answer questions, this is not the time for full disclosure and negotiation. Keep in mind also that you may be trying to sell to a looker, who is not yet ready to buy. A Realtor® can help you distinguish between lookers and qualified buyers, saving you time and energy.