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Selling
Mistakes - Save yourself Time & Money!
Mistake #1 -
Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market
Value
A re-finance appraisal may often be a lenders'
estimate of the value of your property. They
tend to be higher than it actually is in order
to encourage re-financing. The market value of
your home could actually be lower. Your best bet
is to ask your REALTOR for the most recent
information regarding property sales in your
community. This will give you an up-to-date and
factually accurate estimate.
Mistake #2 - Pricing Your Property Too High
Every seller
obviously wants to get the most money for their
home. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT
to list your home at an excessively high price! A
high listing price will cause some prospective
buyers to lose interest before even seeing your
property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect
more than what you have to offer. As a result,
overpriced properties tend to take an unusually
long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a
lower price. This is critical in today's market to
have your REALTOR give you up-to-date selling and
listing information near your property.
Mistake #3 --
Forgetting to "Showcase Your Home"
In spite of how
frequently this mistake is addressed and how
simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still
widespread. When attempting to sell your home to
prospective buyers, do not forget to make your
home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary
repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and
looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of
repairs will surely lower the selling price of
your property and will even turn away some buyers.
Consider getting a consultation from a
professional Home Stager.
Mistake #4 - Trying to Sell on your own
A prospective
buyer who shows interest because of a "for sale"
sign he saw may not really be interested in your
property. Often buyers who do not come through a
Realtor are a good 6-9 months away from buying,
and they are more interested in seeing what is out
there than in actually making a purchase. They may
still have to sell their house, or may not be able
to afford a house yet. They may still even be
unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate.
Your Realtor
should be able to distinguish realistic potential
buyers from mere lookers. Realtors should usually
find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit
rating, and purchasing power in general. This will
help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing
towards the wrong people. Once you have listed
your property with a Realtor it is more
comfortable to leave your home showing in the
capable hands of a REALTOR. Buying a house is
always an emotional and difficult decision. As a
result, you should try to allow prospective buyers
to comfortably examine your property. Try to be
away from the property while it is being shown and
if at all possible either have your pets with you
or temporarily in a pet carrier.
Mistake #5 -- Not Knowing Your Rights &
Responsibilities
It is extremely
important that you are well-informed of the
details in your real estate contract. Real estate
contracts are legally binding documents, and they
can often be complex and confusing. Not being
aware of the terms in your contract could cost you
thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what
you are responsible for before signing the
contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How
will deed restrictions and local zoning laws will
affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers
to these kind of questions could end up costing
you a considerable amount of money.
Mistake #6 --
Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the
Property
Your REALTOR
should employ a wide variety of marketing
techniques. Technology is a realtor's best friend
in today's market! Your REALTOR should also be
committed to selling your property; he or she
should be available for every phone call from a
prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and
open houses are scheduled, during business hours,
so make sure that your REALTOR is working on
selling your home during these hours. Chances are
that you have a job, too, so you may not be able
to get in touch with many potential buyers.
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