I realize I'm a bit behind in using the infographic so generously provided by AR, but alas, here is my take (with video) on the Top 6 Home Seller Mistakes.

Top 6 Seller Mistakes

Survey of 1,000 Real Estate Agents Reveals the Top Six Ways to Sabotage the Sale of Your Home

The most common reasons that a house will not sell in a good market are often well within the control of the home seller according to a recent survey by the ActiveRain online real estate community. In a poll of over 1,000 real estate agents, it was revealed that the top six ways home sellers turn potential home buyers away are:

Data provided by ActiveRain.com.  

I agree with these findings and think they hold true for homes in the Steamboat Springs area. It is up to the agent to educate the seller on aspects of the home selling process that can instantly turn off a potential buyer; however, some sellers get on the defensive when you point out odors or the need for decor adjustments or housekeeping. The conversation may be uncomfortable but it is necessary.

Pricing a home correctly when it first hits the market is essential to getting the home sold for the asking price. If the home is overpriced, it looks tainted to buyers when the price is reduced and they often still think that it is overpriced. The longer a home sits on the market, the less likely it is to sell at or near list price.

Sellers typically have a price in mind of what they feel their home is worth. They usually derive this information based on what their neighbor’s home sold for or what Zillow estimates their house is worth, which are not accurate means to price a home. Neither is basing a list price on the fact that single family home prices rose 8% in Steamboat in 2013. This percentage is an average of all areas, so while some neighborhoods’ home prices increased, others decreased.

Here is a video I made a while back about this very topic:

A good real estate agent knows the market inside and out and spends plenty of time with their sellers before their house ever goes on the market to avoid these costly mistakes.

Here are a couple more articles I've written on this topic:
 No Cookie-Cutter Pricing in Steamboat Springs Real Estate
Don't Keep Yourself from Selling Your Home

Is your real estate broker providing you honest information and straight talk? 

Regards,

Charlie

Charlie Dresen
Real Estate Associate Broker |Sotheby's
Local Knowledge | Global Exposure| Defining Service
970-846-6435 | Charlie@SteamboatsMyHome.com
SteamboatsMyHome.com
610 Market Place Plaza, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

The “Biggest Home Seller  Mistakes” infographic was create by ActiveRain, 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. Find the infographic at http://www.activerain.com/seller-mistakes.