Home Selling Slow-Downs

Top Mistakes that Slow the Sales of Homes

If you are placing your house on the market you probably have some motivation behind your reason to move.  Some sellers may not be in any rush, but many want things to move along at a quick and steady pace, particularly if they have a new job that has sparked the move.

But some sellers unknowingly do things that can lengthen the selling process and push off that all-important move date. It is important to let your Realtor® know your ideal timetable for the sale to be completed and to listen and follow any advice he or she may provide you to assist in trying to meet that deadline.

1)  Overpricing the home: Everyone wants the most they can get for their house, but pricing a home according to its market value is the smart way to sell quickly.  If all similar homes in the area are selling for $270,000 there is no reason to think a buyer will quickly come along willing to pay a lot more.  Making several incremental price cuts can hurt the appeal of your listing.  If you must sell very quickly, ask your Realtor® the current market value of your property and price it just below that amount.  You may end up with multiple offers and more money in the end.

2)  Showing your house before you clean and “declutter”: In an effort to move things along, don’t make the mistake of starting to show your home before you have removed all clutter, cleaned (removing stains, odors and created sparkle), and prepped the house for sale (touched up paint and needed repairs).  The first impression can never be taken back and it can also spread through word of mouth. So make the experience of seeing your home a pleasant and comfortable home shopping experience.

3)  Not taking that first quick offer:  Sometimes an offer comes in right away and it is reasonable. Though sellers could take it, they hesitate because it came in so quickly. The think there must be many, many more, perhaps larger offers just around the corner.  This may or may not be true however, so keep in mind that if you turn down a quick but solid offer, thinking several larger ones are on the way, you risk waiting awhile before the next one comes in. It might not be as good as the first one, either.

4)  Blending in with the crowd: Offer a financial incentive by agreeing to pay closing costs or include full tank of oil to start the season. Make your deal seem sweeter than the deal down the street.

5)  Leaving the home empty: Hire a home staging expert to help you make the most of what you have to offer.  At the very least, do some staging yourself and place any bulky furniture in storage; getting your rooms down to the tasteful basics. Buyers should see a room’s purpose, but also easily be able to picture it decorated in their own style and taste.

image courtesy of HawkinsSteven