 | IMPROPER PRICING - Improper pricing is by far the most common mistake that unsuccessful homeowners make. If you set the price too high, your home will sit unsold and become "shopworn". This will only help to sell homes competing with yours as buyers who see your home will compare it to property priced comparably and will obviously choose the better value. On the other hand, if you price it too low, you may give away thousands of dollars to a total stranger. You must keep in mind that the market value is set by the market not by Realtors, appraisers or sellers but by what buyers have paid for comparable properties.
|
 | NOT PROVIDING EASY ACCESS - Accessibility is a major key to a profitable sale. A lock-box allows buyers to see your home when accompanied by an agent at a minutes notice. The more accessible your home, the more showings, and the better the odds are of finding a person willing to pay top dollar. In today's competitive market, buyers who can't get a viewing will go an to other homes, and purchase elsewhere.
|
 | BAD HOUSEKEEPING - First impressions are probably more important in real estate than in any other field. A staggering amount or home sales have been lost to cluttered rooms, un-mowed lawns, dirty kitchens and bathrooms, stained carpets and unpleasant odors. It is imperative that you clean every nook and cranny so that everything sparkles as when it was new.
|
 | FAILURE TO MAKE REPAIRS - Many times minor improvements will set the homeowner back thousands of dollars during negotiations. A leaky faucet, paint on trim, a cracked tile, any of these minor details can be used as leverage when dealing with offers and counter-offers. Another thing to keep in mind is that since there are so many homes for sale, what may seem to be a small fix-up job can make the difference between a closed sale at top dollar and a home that just sits on the market for months on and.
|
 | POOR SHOWING TECHNIQUES - Your home should be neat and clean, but that's just the beginning. There are lots of little details that make a big difference. Knowing exactly what to say and do when buyers come through your home is crucial.
|
 | RELYING ON TRADITIONAL METHODS - The days of putting a sign in the yard and placing your property in the multiple listing service to get your home sold are long gone. Today, agents need to design specific marketing plans that will maximize the odds of your home being seen by that one special buyer.
|
 | MAKING DECISIONS ON EMOTION - You must realize that selling your home is a
business transaction not an emotional one. This focus should stay clear throughout the entire home selling process. The buyer sees no benefit in the intrinsic value that you have created in your property. They are buying a property to make it their own.
|
 | NOT UNDERSTANDING THE MARKET - There is only one thing that determines value - that is the market. Basically its what buyers are willing to pay for comparable properties in your area. This figure fluctuates by supply and demand just like any other commodity. Since buyers are out there shopping - comparing values, it is very difficult to find a buyer willing to pay more than current market value. No single person, firm, or agent has any control over the market!
|
 | UNQUALIFIED PROSPECTS - A buyer who can't purchase your home is not really a buyer at all. It sounds simple but thousands of hours are wasted every day by showing properties and negotiating with precisely this type of "buyer." Buyers should be pre-approved for a loan before you begin to work with them.
|
 | CHOOSING THE WRONG AGENT - The vast majority of all homes are sold by real estate agents - but not all agents are the same. The agent's experience, knowledge, and marketing plan will have an enormous impact on your success. Choosing the right agent will make all the difference in the world.
|
