1`

12 Things to Avoid If You’re Trying to Sell Your House

Selling your house may seem daunting, especially in a market defined by bidding wars and scarce inventory. With so much at stake, the last thing you want to do is fall into one of the common seller pitfalls that can cost you time and money.

Anticipating seller problems before they occur is half the battle here; the other half is avoiding costly mistakes. Whether you want to relocate to a bigger space or are moving cities, it’s important to ensure you’re well-prepared for what’s ahead.

We specially curated this unique list of things to avoid to help you come out the other side successfully.

1. Misjudging Costs

Stressed desperate broke business woman, homeowner getting frustrated at laptop at home, touching head, suffering from headache due to bad news. Financial problems, bankruptcy concept
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Ever heard of the phrase, spend money to make money? It couldn’t be more true when you’re trying to sell your house! Closing costs are the expenses the seller and the buyer incur during a real estate transaction. These include appraisal fees, title searches, credit report charges, deed recordings, and other similar costs.

While closing costs vary depending on state and property value, it’s best to understand them before the selling process so you’re not taken by surprise.

2. Overpricing Your House

Couple standing in front of house for sale
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Overpricing your house could chase away even the most willing buyers. Usually, overpriced property lasts the longest in the market because prospective buyers will be looking for cheaper alternatives.

As home values constantly change, Experian recommends working with a qualified real estate agent or appraiser to get a valuation depending on the lot size of your house, square footage, age, and amenities.

3. Poor Curb Appeal

A house with peeling white siding
Image Credit: Roberta, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.

First impressions are everything. If a potential buyer is driving to your house and finds overgrown weeds, wilted flowers, and a driveway full of holes, they’ll be put off before they ever step foot inside. A poor curb appeal is something you should avoid at all costs.

Dedicate time to your home’s exterior. Remove weeds, mow the lawn, add a layer of paint, and plant flowers to make it attractive. Believe it or not, good curb appeal could score you a better sales deal and give you room to negotiate.

4. Clutter

A porch on a brick home cluttered with chairs and whimsy
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Mounds of old magazines and piles of clothes all over the house are not cute, especially if you’re looking to lure a buyer into your property. Tap into your organization skills and kick clutter to the curb.

Your house should look its best at all times when it’s on the market. Otherwise, you’re going to drive prospective buyers off before they see its potential. Think of the money you could make on the sale as motivation to tidy up and keep the place clean to make a stellar impression on those walking through the door.

5. Not Showing Your House

A young couple looking at a home for sale.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

How will potential buyers know the value of your home if you keep it under lock and key? Even if you’re not into giving your real estate agent full access, a few staged showings will give buyers a good glimpse of what it offers.

Buyers can enjoy walkthroughs that will take them through the most impressive parts of the property. Show off that bathtub, those high-ceiling windows, and other unique features to gain a better appreciation for your house.

6. Unprofessional Photos

Male professional photographer shooting indoors in the living room.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

A picture says a thousand words! Quick, skimpy snapshots of your house won’t attract the right buyers. As most people prefer to do their due diligence online before visiting a property, it’s best to look professional from the get-go.

Professional photography will help your house get noticed. Remember, humans process visual information faster than they do written words. If your agent doesn’t provide this service, they likely know someone who does, so you have no excuse.

7. Obnoxious Odors

Automatic Cat Litter Box; Funny tabby cat step inside a litter box.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Buyers won’t be sniffing for a good deal when they are walking into a foul-smelling house. Obnoxious odors will turn them off quicker than you can say “Sally sells seashells by the seashore.” No one wants to walk into a funky space, let alone buy it, especially if they don’t know the source of the odor and if it will come out.

To ensure your house is smelling great at all times, invest in essential oils and scented candles. They will always leave inviting scents behind.

8. Not Seeking Professional Help

A real estate agent shaking hands with a new homeowner couple, male and female. Home for sale, sold, homeowners, homebuyer.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

A real estate agent can make or break your seller experience. While you may consider selling your house on your own, you don’t have the experience that a professional Realtor would bring. They have sold scores of properties and know what they’re talking about in the real estate world.

A Realtor will guide you on essential selling elements, help you negotiate the process, and have your best interests at heart.

9. Listing Your House at the Wrong Time

Male bank specialist worker consult mature man and woman spouses about elderly health insurance. Middle-aged Caucasian couple clients customers have meeting with real estate agent or broker.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Data findings state that spring and summer are the best times of the year to sell your house. More particularly, houses sold in April, May, and June reportedly sell above market value. On the other hand, October, November, and December are the slowest months in the real estate calendar.

So, if you’re listing your house in the winter, it may not sell as quickly as you desire. The right timing is everything!

10. Being Unwilling To Negotiate

Stock Photo ID: 2305282833. Young happy couple closing a deal with their insurance agent on a meeting in the office. Women are handshaking. Car dealership, purchasing a car.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

In a perfect world, you’d sell your house for your asking price. But alas. Often, you’ll find buyers willing to pay a little under your asking price and always wanting to negotiate.

Flexibility is crucial as house selling typically involves haggling over prices. If you don’t budge, you may lose out on a good deal. That doesn’t mean you should take the first offer that comes your way. It’s okay to take a little time, just not too much.

11. Selling To Unqualified Buyers

Realtor Selling a home
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

When buyers are not pre-qualified, they may have poor credit scores or lack the funds to complete the buying process. The last thing you want is to be in a binding contract with a questionable buyer.

Your real estate agent is crucial in the process. They’ll help you in vetting buyers to ensure they are qualified by a mortgage lender.

12. Getting Too Attached

Wow. Portrait of excited emotional couple walking in their apartment, entering new home, happy young guy and lady standing in doorway of modern flat, looking at design interior together, coming inside
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Emotions could run high when selling your house. It’s just like your baby. You put time and effort into it, and have probably lived in it for a long time.

Detaching yourself from your house is best. If you don’t, it may be hard to let it go. Keep your emotions in check and think of the sales process as a business transaction that will get you where you need to go.

Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top