5 Common Mistakes made by Sellers

The Multiple Listing Service operates through a database search system and common access point for all Realtors registered with the system.  This common access point is a Lock Box (Key Safe).   In order for a Realtor to be able to show their client several homes on any given day, the lock box plays an important role in allowing Realtors to show your home when you are not home.  As a Seller it is important to understand that more showings equal more chances you will receive an offer .  When a Buyer makes an appointment with their agent to see homes, the agent will sort the showing list by the easiest homes to see first.  Any homes that need appointments or restrictive hours will go to the bottom of the list.  Time is valuable and the easiest homes to get into are always on the top of the list.  No matter how special you think your home is, if it is difficult to see, you will get fewer showings.

All of us are very proud of our homes and the improvements we have made to them.  Let’s face it, either you spent your hard earned money to improve your home or you spent many hours doing the work yourself.  The pride in ownership through these sacrifices is legitimate, but our expectations of how it affects the value of our home is skewed.  Another issue to consider is if your home is over build for the neighborhood.  A willing buyer will only write and offer when the price is right.  telling indicators that the price is right is showing traffic.  Heavy showing traffic will bring an offer, light showing traffic will not.  What we have to remember is that no matter what price is chosen for your home, the home will have to appraise at that value in order for a buyer to get  loan approval.  The appraiser will look at comparable sales in your neighborhood and add for your improvements.   As your Realtor, I will show you the comparable sales in your neighborhood along with other relevant data and with that information you can make a realistic decision on your home’s value.

3. Yard Sign.

If your yard is well kept and the thought of a hole in your front lawn for a yard sign is interrupting your sleep; how much sleep will you loose when you realize you may have lost better offers because the lack of a sign decreased your amount of showings?  Buyers are constatnly looking at homes on the internet and then they will windshield homes they have seen home during the day.  A sign will make it easy for them to find and make it clear that you are selling your home.  The buyer for your home may be some one who just happened to be in the neigborhood; for example,  a friend of one of your neighbors, who saw your sign.  Another issue is that some Realtors may have a hard time finding your home and may leave if they do not see a sign.   As ridiculous as that sounds, it happens.

4. Too Dark.

If your home shows too dark, you will need to think about how to brighten it up.  You may need to trim plants that have grown around the windows, or do simple things like open drapes and blinds.  If you are home and you know a Realtor is coming by to show your home, turn on the lights in all the rooms, open blinds and curtains before they arrive.  Consider when you are gone for the day, that leaving lights on may not be energy efficient, however that could be a small investment  on your part to attract an offer.  Especially if you have a two story house the window coverings should all be left open when you are not home  to help  brightn up those rooms.  Leave doors to bedrooms and bathrooms open as well.

5. Animals.

Animals present several problems and the one I worry about most when showing a home, is access to your home.  If prospective buyers cannot see parts of your home because of animals that need to be kept out or locked up, those buyers may miss a part of your home that may have cause them to decide to write an offer.  Another pitfall with the family pets is odor.  You may not notice it, but prospective buyers will.  There really is not much you can do about pet odors except vacuum regularly, change litter boxes frequently and purchase an air cleaner.  The last is that some buyers may have allergies or even animal phobias.  This may keep these buyers from seeing your home altogether.  Many of us have animals, but when it comes time to sell your home, the animals need to be tended to in an extra special way so they will not keep a buyer from making an offer on your home.