Now that you’ve decided it’s time to sell your home, you’re probably getting all kinds of advice from friends and family about how to do it. While they often have good intentions, some of the suggestions they provide can be downright harmful to you. Here’s the advice that we recommend you skip.
Wait until the market is better
There are so many factors that play into the fluctuations of the housing market, it’s often impossible to predict how your local market will be impacted in a few weeks or months. If you need or want to sell your home, there’s no time like the present.
You don’t need professional photos
Unless you are a professional photographer, you should not be relying on the photos you take to sell your listing. Yes, the cameras on our smartphones are amazing – but there’s a lot more to taking a great real estate photo than slapping a cool Instagram filter over it. Most people decide whether or not they want to see a property in person based on the photos in the listing. Do yourself a favor and make sure the photos do your home justice.
Don’t sell your home in the winter or fall
While conventional wisdom dictates that the best time to sell your home is in the spring or summer, that doesn’t mean those are the only times to sell. Yes, buyers with school age children are more likely to move when school is out of session. But what about the empty nesters? Or the couples without children? Or the single people looking to buy their first place? They are less likely to be limited with their window of opportunity. The reality is there will always be people who are shopping for a home.
Price your home high
We’re not sure of the logic of this, but some people might believe that pricing a home high gives buyers room to negotiate. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to selling your home. If you price your home too high, many potential buyers will not even look at your home. Your property will languish on the market, and you will eventually have to reduce the price – which can make you look desperate. Price your home appropriately from the beginning.
Don’t make repairs – let the buyer do it
If there are repairs that need to be made, you’re better off making them before you list. Potential buyers will see the problems when they view your home, and they’re more likely to offer you less than your asking price. You’ll lose money in the end if you don’t attend to those repairs first.
You don’t need an agent
Maybe you believe your market is so hot right now that you don’t need an agent to sell your home. But there’s so much more to selling a house than finding a buyer. There are legal processes and documents that need to be addressed. Selling a home is a complicated process, and a professional real estate agent can help you navigate through the confusion and stress.
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