9 Most Common Mistakes Homesellers Make

The housing industry kicks into gear after the Super Bowl - there's no good reason for this except why go out in January to do anything?  Realtors often say that biggest selling time is spring, which is actually the beginning of February through April/May.

So if you are in the position of putting your house up for sale soon, here are some mistakes that could be costly: 

1. Pricing Your House Too High - This is the single most important reason why your home won't sell - in any market!  This is where a knowledgeable and experienced realtor can help you with comparable homes for sale and sold properties.
2. Not Staging and Repairing - unfortunatley, many of us live with the little idiosyncracies of our houses until we get ready to sell.  We think if it was OK for us, it'll be OK for the buyers.  Not so - this is the time to get those little things repaired, walls and trim painted, and general decluttering. 
   
3. Waiting for a Better Market - it you need or want to sell, do it now.  Some people feel we've gone as low as we can, others feel we have not hit bottom yet.  Waiting for the market to rebound is like gazing into a crystal ball - nothing is for certain in this area.
4. Not Getting Good Quality Photos Taken - In the old days, we realtors took home photos ourselves.  Guess what - some still do.  At Baird & Warner we hire professional photographers for every listing and our home shows are exquisite to view.  How do you want someone 1000 miles is going to view your house?  
5. Using False Advertising - If your house has 3 bedrooms and a 4th in the basement, call it a 3 bedroom home.  That way the buyer will be happily surprised to find the 4th one in the basement, rather than expecting all four to be above ground.  If your kitchen was updated in 1995, it's not an updated kitchen!
6. Making Your House Hard to Show - be flexible, leave the house, stay out of the way.  Don't put up any restrictions - even a sleeping baby can handle an important showing (with mom quietly in another room.)  Don't make your broker accompany showings - other agents and clients are put off by this and would rather view the home alone.
7. Being Offended by Low Ball Offers - Home buyers love to haggle over the price and many feel cheated if they can't get a good negotiation going.  Don't turn your nose up at anything - many sellers who have done so have ended up with a new listing price lower than some original offers. 
   
8. Not Making Sure the Buyer is Qualified - again, another job a seasoned Realtor will do for you.  Money is still tight and Fannie Mae is tightening qualifications - no offer is any good if the buyer is not qualified.
9. Choosing the Wrong Realtor - how would you know?  Ask about experience and local knowledge.  Check for their online presence and how they present their current listings.  Ask for referals and testimonials.  Make sure you get along with your realtor and that you have the same vision.  In this marketplace, sellers are often on their 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th realtor.  Don't let that happen to you.  The one who gives you the highest price for your home is suspect.

Good luck to you as we go headlong into 2010 (!) 

Please contact me for any information regarding buying or selling a home in Chicago's North Shore Suburbs of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe or Northfield.

 

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Margaret Goss GRI, CRS

Baird & Warner, Winnetka IL

847-977-6024 (cell)

www.CallMargaret.com (website)