Top Seller Mistakes

Good intentions or not, a seller can actually sabotage their own sale, when trying to sell their home.  Here a some of the things that sellers do which can result in the loss of a sale or produce a low-ball offer.

 

1. Seller hanging around when  buyer is viewing the home - This is a big mistake that some sellers make. A seller may worry that their agent will forget to point out all of the amenities in the home or that the buyer likes the idea of the seller being close by so that they can ask direct questsions.  The truth is, however, that most buyers feel stifled and unable to fully appreciate what the home has to offer when the seller is hovering nearby (or eavesdropping). Buyers need to engage personally with the home and that is not possible if they are not free to verbally express their feelings during the showing and to fully explore the home by opening cupboards etc. Buyers need to be able to envision themselves living there and that is next to impossible if the seller won't give them the space to do so.

 

2. Showing a Messy House - Life is busy, but it is important to remember that buyers expect to see the home in showable condition.  My advice to sellers is to pack up as if you are moving and put what you don't need in storage.  Nicely packed boxes put in the garage is usually ok as long as it doesn't overfill the garage and make it look small and inadequate.

 

3. Overpricing the home - Yes, buyers can always make an offer, you say.  The truth is that if you are overpriced, the buyers will usually just pass you by.  Or worse, buyers won't even notice your property since it is not in the price range they are looking in.   By the time the property is priced correctly, the best buyers have come through already.  

 

My advice is to hire a highly skilled real estate agent to begin with. Share with your agent everything that you love about the home and disclose any negatives.  Then trust your agent to do their job with excellence.  The quality of real estate agents varies so be sure that your agent is hired based on their experience and actual homes sold. 

 

If you have any questions concerning your property, please call me anytime.  I always enjoy hearing from you!

 

Nancy Puder is a real estate broker with Nancy Puder & Associates in Arroyo Grande, CA.  You may contact her at Nancy@NancyPuder.com or call (805)710-2415.  Follow her posts on Facebook Nancy Puder Realtor and click "like".