Biggest Home Seller Mistakes - Don't Make Them

Many sellers are guilty of these mistakes.  1000 real estate agents participated in this survey.  The results were pretty consistent.  We were asked to pick the top three mistakes.

As you can see, pricing is number one.  If you over-price a home, the buyers don't come, see it, and then let you know it is over-priced.  Many times they eliminate your home from their list of homes to buy while viewing it on the internet.  Compared to the other homes they are seeing online, yours is not giving them the value they are seeing in the other homes.  So, they don't even come to see it.

Don't Make That Mistake!!

I tell my sellers, "Never turn down a showing unless it is absolutely necessary."  Buyers and their agents are not available to see homes at any day or hour.  You need to be ready to show at all times.  Only turn down a showing if you or a family member are ill or if you are having a big event at your home. (actually showing during a party can showcase how your home is great for entertaining). 

One thing every seller should make sure of is the way that showing requests are handled.  I use a showing service with a live operator.  Many agents have the buyer's agent call their cell phone to show or text.  I have experience too many times where I could not get a hold of the listing agent in order to request an appointment to show.

With the Showing Time, the agent calls in or books their appointment online.  The service contacts my sellers (usually via text) and the sellers just text Y for yes or N for no.  Or the sellers can call in to propose a different time.  I see the whole process with notifications, so I can intervene if I don't see the confirmation come through in a timely manner.  This way, if I am not available to schedule the showing appointment, the Showing Time representatives are.

 As for the rest of the mistakes, I agree:

• Declutter
• Take care of odors (animals, smoke)
• Be ready to negotiate with the buyer you have.  There may not be another.
• Make repairs that add value (Please check with me first.  Don't spend a ton of money that you may not get back in the sale)

Here is the graphic showing the results of the survey.

Data provided by ActiveRain.com. ActiveRain is an online community of real estate professionals who exchange best practices, write real estate blogs, and get free education from the industry and their peers.