May 25th, 2018 7:08 PM by alan Martin
1. Picking the wrong real estate agent (or trying to do it without one) - I made this number one on the list because it truly affects everything else you might encounter. When sellers try and do FSBO or For Sale By Owner instead of using a licensed real estate agent, there are tons of potential pitfalls. But, when you have an experienced agent on your side, they will know exactly what to do, what to look for, and how to get through the process smoothly and quickly. They should be able to guide you through and help you avoid the rest of the seller mistakes you're about to read. Of course, that's assuming you choose the right agent. Often times, people just default to a friend or family member instead of picking an agent with the experience, success, or specialty that would be in their best interest.
2. Neglecting sales prep and curb appeal - Even when the decision to sell is well thought out, sometimes sellers ignore some of the most important things a potential buyer will see. Making sure your house looks good inside and out is often the first step in generating real interest with buyers. Having the inside professionally cleaned goes a long way. Make sure everything looks as organized and clean as possible before pictures are taken and before any open houses or showings. Anything could turn off a potential buyer - a bad pet smell, dirty floors or window treatments, or even just cluttered rooms. Of course, the outside of the home is extremely important as well. Make sure the landscaping is in good shape, any necessary repairs are completed, and the driveway/sidewalk/porch are cleaned off.
3. Mispricing the home - Maybe the most important aspect (and most common mistake) of selling a home is pricing! It's often how buyers start their searches. If you shoot too high, you may not even show up on someone's radar. If overpriced, it can be the reason a home sits on the market forever. If underpriced, you could be missing out on money. However, if priced correctly, it can generate enough interest to sell quickly while also getting you as much as possible. But deciding on the perfect price can be difficult. A real estate agent is a serious asset in this area. Often times people have an emotional attachment to a house that can unjustifiably drive up what they're looking to get. A good real estate agent will understand the local market, be able to look at comparable sales in the area, and help you decide on the perfect price.
4. Withholding info from buyers - In real estate, honesty is the best policy. When it comes to giving information to potential buyers, it might sound enticing to leave out a few details, but in the long run it's not worth it. Crossing your fingers and hoping a buyer won't notice the leak underneath your kitchen sink or the fact that your back yard tends to flood can lead to serious issues. It can make for a really ugly negotiation period, or even potential lawsuits after a sale. Besides, a home inspection is usually going to reveal most everything anyway. It's best to be honest with a buyer and work things out in an open, fair, transparent way.
These are just four of the many mistakes sellers can make, especially if they aren't working with an experienced Greater Orlando area real estate agent. I'd love to be your agent and help you make the process of selling your home as smooth as possible!
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Have questions? Give me a call at (407) 832-4888, or shoot me an e-mail anytime at alan@frontlinefloridarealty.com.
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