Costly Mistakes Sellers Make - #8

Number 8 is right on. In fact, I have an appointment with someone in a few days to help them understand where positive improvements can be made in preparing their house for sale. I will also spend time sharing reasons why some things simply do not need to be touched.

How many times have we heard, "I know nothing in my neighborhood has sold over $XYZ, ABC,  BUT I spent $35K on updating the basement and $20K on the kitchen so I should get way over $XYZ,ABC!"  If only it worked that way.

Good point. Thanks for thr post and have a good week..

Karen, a great series with wonderful on target info...that's why your the book author!

Good evening Karen,

These are great tips..love your series..I'm meeting with a seller on Wednesday who has way over improved their house and they tell me they get they shouldn't have done it but will their calm attitude prevail when we discuss pricing?

Hi Karen,

such an important list and yes the over improving over spending  seller is way too common and rarely benefits their eventual sales efforts.

Karen, I'm left speechless when a seller will ask if I can just put the house in the market with the notations sold as is, just so they can avoid making those expensive repairs that they have been avoiding, while still trying to get maximum dollas.

Karen explaining congruence to sellers is crucial if you can get to them before they have made the improvements.

#1 Everything in the house needs to be congruent. Don’t over improve one aspect and leave another aspect lacking.

#2 Is your house, post the planned improvements, going to be congruent with the neighborhood, competing houses within a reasonable distance and congruent within the price range?

Unfortunately appraisers don’t tend to give anywhere near retail for improvements so they must be done judiciously.

Karen, this happens too frequently when a seller starts a home selling strategy without seeking information and/or advice.

Karen, you are spot on here.  Over improving often happens with a "plan" and by watching too much HGTV-it is critical that a seller be informed by a Realtor and a Stager about what kinds of improvements to make-which add cost, which add VALUE.