In the current financial climate it can be very daunting to sell a house. Buyers are looking for good deals, and your property will just be one of many. Luckily, if you avoid the common pitfalls of selling your property, the selling process will be easier, and hopefully faster. Here we look at some of the mistakes that can slow down or prevent a sale.
- Setting the price to high: Yes, you know how much you paid for the house, and you are expecting to make a profit when selling your property. Realistically, it doesn’t always work like this. Property prices are market related and you have to price your property accordingly. Find a valuation specialist in your area and ask them to perform a valuation. If your asking price is unrealistic it will scare buyers away and your property may end up sitting on the market for a long time.
- Not marketing effectively: If you think that all you have to do is post a photograph online or stick a “for sale” sign out front, you are very wrong. You have to tap into all the available marketing avenues available to you. Get professional photographs of the property and advertise online or on social media. If an estate agent is handling selling your property, ensure that they post your pictures on their website and as many other property websites as possible to draw traffic. Remember, the more people that see you property the more likely you are to make a sale!
- Doing it alone: While it is possible to sell your house privately, this is not recommended for someone who needs a quick sale and has no experience with house sales. If you are not a seasoned property seller, it is best to leave it to the professionals. Yes, it will cost money, but it is worth it for the headache and time that it will cost you in the end. Conduct interviews with estate agents and get references before choosing one.
- Not fixing broken things: If your potential buyer views your property and there are obvious things that are in disrepair or broken, they are going to wonder how much else there is in the home that needs fixing. They will also start to question the maintenance of the property and be more reluctant to make an offer. Ensure that obvious things like loose handrails or gutters, sagging doors, broken door knobs, skew drawers, cracked windows, dripping taps and leaking pipes are fixed and in good shape before showing the house.
- Clutter: A messy house with stuff lying around is a huge put off and makes the space too personal. Before selling the house get some boxes and pack up personal pictures, toys, and other items that create a cluttered impression and stack it away. Create a more neutral environment that allows the buyer to start with a blank canvas in their minds while viewing the property.
If you avoid these common mistakes, you are much more likely to get a faster sell and it will ultimately result in a more satisfying sales experience.