Planning to Sell Your House? Don’t Do These!

Selling a property is a big challenge. It involves a long process that includes smaller but important details such as staging and creating a marketing plan. But did you know that there are things around your home or things that you do that you think will attract homebuyers but might actually deter them? If you’re planning to sell your house soon, be sure not to do these!

1. Don’t jump on trends when it comes to upgrades and home improvements. When planning a home improvement project, it can be tempting to jump on the bandwagon and do what the majority are doing. If you’re considering painting your house with the hottest paint color according to your Pinterest feed at the moment or furnishing your interior with the latest furniture style, think again. While most trends do look appealing, not everyone has the same taste. Go for something neutral and timeless instead.

2. Don’t take your own photos, unless you are a skilled photographer. Taking photos of your property for sale is not as simple as taking photos for your Instagram account. Because you want to catch the attention of potential home buyers, you want your photos to be crisp, clear, and attractive, which professional photographers can achieve with their skills and equipment.

3. Don’t ignore the power of curb appeal. It’s been said many times: curb appeal can help boost the value of your property. But what exactly needs to be done to improve your curb appeal? Simple tasks such as trimming your shrubs and trees, removing dead branches and plants, mulching, and adding healthy plants and trees can make your home stand out. The good thing is, these projects are very doable and do not usually cost a lot of money. If you feel it’s necessary and if the budget allows you, you may also consider bigger projects such as upgrading your driveway.

4. Don’t overprice. An overpriced home will likely never sell or will take a long time to sell. When browsing the MLS, home buyers normally just skip overpriced properties and move on to the next one they see. Be sure to correctly price your home to prevent stale listings. 

5. Don’t ignore clutter. Clutter is not only ugly to look at, but it can also scare off potential home buyers. Clearing your clutter is a simple and effective way to improve the look of your home. Plus, it usually does not cost anything and is great for your mental health!

6. Don’t ignore bad odors. Strong odors can be a major turn off. The most common culprits? Carpets, rugs, upholstery, and refrigerators. Bad odor is most especially challenging to tackle if your home was smoked in for years or if you have pets. Be sure to clean the main areas that can easily harbor nasty smells before selling your home.

7. Don’t go overboard when it comes to personalizing the space. Remove personal items or decorations from your home. This includes family portraits, political affiliations, degrees, or other decors that reflect your personal hobbies or interests like taxidermy, sports trophies, etc. The goal is to make it easy for potential buyers to envision themselves living in your home.

8. Don’t neglect items that need repairs. You don’t need to do a major overhaul before selling your house, but you at least have to make it livable, secure, and safe. If there are broken items that pose potential safety hazards or things that will make it inconvenient for the new homeowners to live there, be sure to fix them. Check your windows, ceilings, floor, roof, light fixtures, door handles, steps, etc. You sure don’t want to ignore a loose light fixture that can fall anytime!

9. Don’t be too emotional about the process. It’s difficult to let go of something you have worked hard for and then owned for years, especially a home where special memories were made. But when it’s time to sell, think like a business person. This will allow you to see your property as a buyer and not someone who has a strong emotional attachment to it. Let go of your emotions and don’t let it dictate you when it’s time to stage and market your property.

10. Do not be offended by a low offer. Do you think lowball offers only exist in Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace? Nope. The real estate world is not safe from lowballers. If you do receive an offer that’s way lower than the target price, do not get offended. However, look for an opportunity to negotiate. Come back with a counteroffer. This way, you’ll know how much they’re really willing to pay.

So we have just rounded up some of the things that you should not do when you’re planning to sell your home. However, if you need to get rid of your property as soon as possible or need to sell quickly, our expert real estate professionals are here to give you advice. Get started today by calling us at 800-976-SOLD!