Selling Your Home in Spring – 5 Things to Avoid

 

Ah, the flowers are in bloom and everyone is layering their clothing, so it must be spring. Another major indicator of spring is all the “for sale” signs that start “springing” up, for lack of a better word.

If you plan on selling your home in spring, there are some major blunders you’ll want to avoid to ensure that you get your home off the market quickly.

1. Acting like your home is the only one on the market

Truth is, a lot of home sellers know that home buyers begin their hunt in the spring, and while it’s normal to feel somewhat attached to your home, you need to step away from the doilies and look at your home from a home buyer’s perspective.

Remember that you need to price your home in a way that gives you a competitive edge without under pricing and losing out on what’s rightfully yours. Just be smart about it and don’t overprice your home because you’re emotionally attached to it.

2. Not doing your research on what else is out there

If you don’t do your homework, and yes, home selling comes with homework, then you might end up overpricing your home to the point of not having any visitors. Or, you might end up asking a price that’s so low that you end up losing out on thousands of dollars.

Check out the homes that are for sale in your area by researching them online, especially the homes that are similar to yours. As well, make sure your Realtor doesn't just write a price on the back of their card as to what your home is worth.  Everything your Realtor does should be in writing - their marketing plan, commission structure, statistics and the comparative market analyisis.

Finally, go to some open houses...what better way to know the market then knowing your competition!

3. Forgetting the importance of home staging

First impressions leave lasting impressions, so you want to make sure that when home buyers see your home online or show up at your open house, that they see a home that is essentially move-in ready.

Make sure to go easy on all the personal knickknacks and show off a space that is clean and organized. You want to make the home shine and help them to see themselves living in it. It is no longer your home; it is a product that you are marketing.

4. Losing it during the negotiation process

Sure, you might have some home buyers who will completely lowball you with an offer that would make a grown man cry, but you can’t let it get to you. The negotiation process can sometimes be tough, but keep in mind that it’s all part of the bigger picture – it’s a business transaction and each party wants to come away a winner.

Don’t take it personally; the buyer is thinking about his or her own interests and their intent is not to offend you.

5. Rejecting an offer outright

Sometimes home buyers will lowball you on purpose, just to see if you’ll bite. Rather than reject the offer and call it a day, perhaps it might serve you better to counter their offer with something you think would be more acceptable.

Ignoring or dismissing an offer might leave you missing out on a real buyer who goofed at making an offer. So rather than just reject any price you think is too low, try countering instead. It may just lead to a great sale in the end.

Please contact me today for a complimentary market value report for your home!